Gerlach Votes to Stop Automatic Pay Raise in 2010

Press Release

Gerlach Votes to Stop Automatic Pay Raise in 2010

Members of Congress will not get a raise in 2010 under legislation Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) helped the House of Representatives pass this week.

A provision eliminating the Cost of Living Adjustment for Congress was part of an Omnibus budget package that will fund the federal government through September. The bill passed the House by a 245 to 178 margin and now goes to the Senate.

"This legislation does not go far enough in forcing the federal government to live within its means and start the same kind of serious belt-tightening that American families have endured during these challenging economic times," Gerlach said. "However, I believe it was important to exercise some personal fiscal responsibility and vote for a bill that blocks the automatic pay increase."

Gerlach joined a group of moderate House members in attempting to reign in the spending increases, which average 8 percent over the previous year's budget.

The congressman co-sponsored an amendment that would have sliced the spending hike by more than half. The amendment would have limited the average increase to no more than the current inflation rate of 3.8 percent.

"Unfortunately the amendment met the same fate as so many other suggestions offered by rank-and-file members for improving legislation," Gerlach said. "Leadership spiked the idea and sent the more expensive spending plan to the floor."

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