English Comments on Congressional COLA

Press Release

English Comments on Congressional COLA

Last night, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) voted against the procedural measure that would advance an automatic annual pay raise for members of Congress. The measure passed 244 to 181. In response, English released the following statement:

"It is absurd that Congress has created this back door method for raising its pay. Whether or not it is a pay raise or "inflation adjustment," Congress should take responsibility for any change in pay that occurs.

"I have consistently supported repealing the automatic congressional COLA, so that if Members of Congress are going to benefit from increased compensation they should do it in the light of day and put up a direct vote.

"I opposed last night's pay raise and intend to turn it back to the public by donating it to local charities."

Since taking office English has opposed every congressional pay raise and has donated nearly $30,000 to local charities in lieu of accepting annual pay raises. The pay increase is automatic under the annual adjustment procedure established in 1989, which uses a formula to determine Member pay based on a measure of changes in private sector pay.

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