Sen. Begich Supports Ending Automatic Pay Increases for Senators

Press Release

To help fulfill a campaign promise, Senator Mark Begich today signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation that would halt automatic cost of living adjustments (COLA) which automatically raise the amount that U.S. senators and representatives are paid. Senate Bill 542 would repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for members of Congress.

"Senators should not be taking automatic pay raises while our country is experiencing its worst economic conditions since the Great Depression," Begich said. "Most Alaskans aren't getting automatic raises so neither should those who represent them in Washington."

The legislation freezes the pay that senators receive and will require senators to vote on future increases in pay. In the last 10 years, the Senate has received eight pay raises. Meanwhile, working Americans have only received one increase in the minimum wage.

"While campaigning for the Senate, I was proud to make two pledges when it comes to senatorial pay. First, there should be no pay raise for senators until Alaskans receive a pay raise through an increase to the minimum wage. Second, senators should have to vote on each pay raise, not benefit from an automatic increase. This bill will deliver on both of those promises," Begich said.

Passed today, the 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill freezes the scheduled COLA increase for 2010. Passage of Senate Bill 542 would halt all automatic increases in pay and require legislative consideration and approval for any future increases.

On Tuesday night, Senate Bill 542 was brought to the Senate floor and received consideration. A motion to pass the legislation through the process of unanimous consent was made, however an objection from one Republican Senator prevented its passage. Future consideration of the legislation is pending.

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