From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

November 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson: Forgoing Pay Raise Would Show Conviction

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson said that today's passage of the Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations conference report-with the Congressional pay raise intact-sends the wrong message about the need to control spending.  The bill-HR 3058-includes a $3,100 pay increase, bringing the annual salary for members of the House to $165,200.

"This is a missed opportunity for some belt-tightening by members of Congress.  I'm sorry that conferees undid the 96-2 vote by the Senate to eliminate the pay raise this year.  If there was ever a time for shared sacrifice, this is it," said Matheson.

Matheson has been the lone voice of opposition in the House to the automatic pay raise for the past five years. But as the federal deficit soared to over $8 trillion and as bills mounted for Hurricane Katrina rebuilding and preparation for a possible avian flu pandemic, a growing number of House and Senate members joined in.

"I know eliminating the pay raise doesn't mean much in terms of dollars, but it is the right thing to do," said Matheson.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)