[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 615]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 5087

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, earlier today my colleague Dr. Ron Paul 
and I introduced H.R. 5087, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act of 
2008, to block the automatic pay raise Members of Congress are 
scheduled to receive next year.
  As you may recall, I introduced a similar bill last year seeking to 
prevent an automatic pay raise for Members of Congress from taking 
effect this year.
  Unfortunately, despite the support of 29 cosponsors, last year's bill 
failed to reach the floor, As a result, every Member is now receiving 
$169,300 this year, a $4,100 increase from last year.
  Madam Speaker, the American people didn't get a $4,100 pay raise this 
year. I do not know how in good conscience we, as their Representatives 
in Congress, can accept one.
  Our Nation is at war, we have a national debt of more than $9 
trillion, and fears of a recession have sent the stock market into a 
tailspin. Unemployment is up, home sales are down, and markets around 
the world are on shaky ground.
  In December, the unemployment rate rose in 46 States as well as the 
District of Columbia.
  In my home State of Arizona, unemployment rose 42 percent between 
September and December alone, leaving 143,800 unemployed.
  Compounding the situation, nationwide inflation shot up 6 percent in 
2007, the largest jump in 26 years. The same gallon of gas that cost 
$2.20 a year ago now costs more than $3--and new home construction 
dropped 25 percent, the largest decrease in 27 years.
  When Members of Congress accept this pay raise, we send the wrong 
message.
  Americans are suffering and instead of feeling that pain, Congress is 
approving pay raises to further insulate us from it. If you want to 
know why people hate Washington and feel that it is out of touch, it is 
precisely because of moves like this.
  I will be donating my 2008 pay raise to charity and I encourage my 
colleagues to do the same.
  I also encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5087 to 
stop next year's pay raise for Members of Congress.

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