Congress Rejects Own Pay Raise
By casting their ballots in favor of a deal that would avert the so-called fiscal cliff early Tuesday morning, senators overwhelmingly blocked a pay increase for themselves and members of the House that President Obama recently approved via an executive order.
By casting their ballots in favor of a deal that would avert the so-called fiscal cliff early Tuesday morning, senators overwhelmingly blocked a pay increase for themselves and members of the House that President Obama recently approved via an executive order.
Roll Call:
The bill contains a one-sentence provision that would block a scheduled cost-of-living adjustment for representatives and senators that is due to take place when the continuing resolution under which the federal government is currently operating expires on March 27. Congressional pay has not been increased since 2009, in part because the vote is so unpopular with the public given the recent recession, the push for deficit reduction and the high disapproval ratings of Congress.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., said Monday that she planned to introduce legislation to stop the Congressional salary hike. But she made those comments before an agreement was reached between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. That deal included a provision rescinding the pay hike tucked inside of the 157-page package.
The provision has bipartisan support, including from Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska.
— Posted by Tracy Bloom.
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You know what's worse than the 112th Congress, which passed a historic low of 23 items by this time last year? The 113th Congress, which has managed to eclipse that record for futility and "accomplish" even less.
This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: The fiscal cliff is delayed, the 113th Congress is sworn in, the NDAA is signed, the Violence Against Women Act is killed and the LA Times is reborn.
This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: The fiscal cliff is delayed, the 113th Congress is sworn in, the NDAA is signed, the Violence Against Women Act is killed and the LA Times is rebornThis week on Truthdig Radio: The fiscal cliff is delayed, the 113th Congress is sworn in, the NDAA is signed, the Violence Against Women Act is killed and the L.
To say that Congress looked like a clown show this week is an insult to self-respecting clowns.
A look at the day's political happenings, including the start of the 113th Congress, the GOP continues its war against women and two more states weigh legalizing gay marriage.
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