Congressman Loebsack Votes to Cut Congress’ Budget; Co-Introduces Legislation to Cut Members’ Salaries
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack voted to cut congressional budgets, including individual Member offices, Leadership offices and Committees by five percent. The bill was approved in a bipartisan vote by the House of Representatives.
“Iowa families are continuing to make tough choices with their household budgets and have been making do with less for some time now. I have long argued that Congress must do its part to get our fiscal house in order, and this cut in congressional budgets is a step in the right direction.”
However, Loebsack believes that Members of Congress should demonstrate a personal commitment to getting our fiscal house in order. That is why Loebsack co-introduced the Congressional Pay Cut Act today to cut Members of Congress’ salaries by 5% and to put an end to automatic pay increases that occur unless Congress votes to stop them.
“Today’s vote to cut congressional budgets is a good start to restoring common sense and discipline, but it does not go far enough. Members of Congress must be willing to take a personal stake in our economic recovery. That is why I co-introduced legislation today to cut the salaries of Congressional Members by five percent and put an end to automatic pay raises. Just as Iowa families are cutting back, Members of Congress should also cut back and do our part to help reign in spending and bring down the federal deficit.”
This pay cut would mark the first time in 77 years that Congress’ salaries will be reduced. Loebsack was an original co-sponsor of legislation that successfully blocked the 2010 congressional pay raise and was an original co-sponsor of the legislation that also successfully blocked the 2011 congressional pay raise. He has pushed for a cut in the salaries of Members of Congress since the spring of last year and has urged congressional leadership to bring the issue to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.
Source: Congressman Dave Loebsack’s Office
