Dr. Coburn Calls for Permanent Repeal Of Automatic Congressional Pay Raise

Dr. Coburn Calls for Permanent Repeal Of Automatic Congressional Pay Raise

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today called for a permanent repeal of the automatic cost of living pay raise for Members of Congress until the federal budget is balanced.

The Senate today approved an amendment eliminating the cost of living adjustment (COLA), or annual congressional pay raise, for fiscal year 2006. The savings, an estimated $2 million, would be put toward costs associated with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

"Charity requires sacrifice - a lesson the American people have taken to heart and one I'm glad to see the Congress is finally learning. I'm encouraged that my Senate colleagues today rejected their automatic pay raise to put the money toward hurricane costs," Dr. Coburn said.

"In fact, Congress should not receive another pay increase until members have balanced the budget. It is unacceptable for Congress to give itself a pay raise when members have been unable to perform the duties they were elected to do, which include balancing the budget," Dr. Coburn said.

http://coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=News.PressReleases&month=10&year=2005&id=132