Jun 14, 2006- Congresswoman Kaptur Votes Against Automatic Pay Raise for Congress

Without the opportunity for an up or down vote on the pay raise, finalpassage is expected today on the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and UrbanDevelopment Appropriations bill, which contains the automatic cost of livingincrease for Congress.

Congresswoman Kaptur said Members of Congress should forego the increases ata time of great hardship for millions of Americans who are out of work orpossibly serving in the armed forces. "If that slightwere not enough, the nation is running record budget deficits with red ink as faras the eye can see," said Kaptur.

"This is the same Congress that approved cuts to funding for veterans'health care by $6 billion over the next five years, despite increasing demand,"said Kaptur. "Congress shouldn't be rewarded with a $3,300.00pay hike for cutting services to our returning military."

Members of Congress next year will make approximately $168,500 a year. The bill also includes raises of 2.7 percent for civil servants.

Congresswoman Kaptur has declined to accept congressional pay raises forseveral years. The Clerk of the House, citing the fact that the payraises are the law of the land as passed by Congress and signed by thepresident, has forced Congresswoman Kaptur to accept the higher salary. As a result, Rep. Kaptur has established separate accounts, one at theToledo Community Foundation, to receive funding which she then directs tocharitable organizations in the Ninth District.