Congress to forego pay raise ... at least next year

Posted by David N. Bass at 11:29 AM

Another sign of congressional benevolence amidst a tumultuous economy.

Now, how about giving back that raise for '09?

[The] No. 2 Democrat in the House said Washington lawmakers are going to have to give up their automatic raise in 2010. It would be “inappropriate,” said Maryland Democrat Steny Hoyer, for Congress to accept its 2010 raise when the economy is in bad shape and people are losing their jobs.

Well, Mr. Hoyer, what about the 2009 raise last month?

We think is not only inappropriate but almost immoral for Congress to have accepted a 3 percent pay increase last month, which raised members’ salaries to $174,000.

The congressional pay raise in January added an additional $2.5 million to the budget.

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