[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 2 (Friday, January 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STOP SINGLING OUT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 4, 2013

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, as the 113th Congress begins, I strongly 
believe that no Member of Congress should have his or her salary 
increased. It is critical that this nation's elected leaders lead by 
example in the quest to reduce our debt and put this nation on sound 
financial footing. Responsible, accountable leadership is required in 
Washington if this train of fiscal disaster is ever going to get 
rerouted onto a track toward prosperity and economic growth. That is 
why I am a cosponsor of legislation that would halt the pay increase 
for Members of Congress under the President's December 27, 2012 
Executive Order and legislation to stop the a utomatic pay increase for 
members of Congress.
   However, I also want to make absolutely clear my opposition to any 
efforts to unfairly target our civilian federal workforce for deficit 
reduction purposes. America's First District is full of hardworking and 
dedicated citizens who serve the people of this nation every day, such 
as on the front lines of the War on Terror or in support roles for our 
military. Still others provide valuable service at places like VA 
hospitals, cancer research laboratories, and the FBI. And yet since 
2010, federal civilian employees have seen their pay frozen and their 
benefits reduced on multiple occasions. I voted against the initial 
two-year pay freeze in December of 2010, and on the first day of 2013, 
I voted against H.R. 6726, which would have extended this pay freeze 
for an additional year. I am fully ready and willing to cut my own 
salary, benefits, and office budget, but we must stop singling out 
federal employees simply because Congress fails to address the out-of-
control spending.
   There is no question that our nation must get its spending in order, 
and federal employees are certainly eager to do their part to help in 
this effort. Their daily contributions to their fellow citizens and to 
the cause of freedom are simply innumerable, and yet during the deficit 
reduction debate over the last few years, federal employees have been 
asked to contribute more than their fair share.
   Our federal civilian employees live a life of selfless service, and 
they deserve our appreciation. I am hopeful that deficit reduction 
efforts going forward will focus more realistically on addressing the 
true drivers of our debt, rather than targeting those who are trying 
simply to serve their nation each and every day.

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