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

June 13 , 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Fights Against Pay Raise for Members of Congress

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson-for the sixth time in as many years-took to the House floor today to oppose a pay raise for Members of Congress. Matheson urged his colleagues to reject an obscure procedural move that will grant the pay raise via HR 5576-the Transportation-Treasury-HUD spending bill-- without an up-or-down vote. Congress is scheduled to receive a 2% increase, or $3,300.  The annual salary for Members would then be $168,500.

The only opportunity for Congress to have an up or down vote on the pay raise is through a procedural vote.  Matheson said Members must vote "no" on the Previous Question.  If the Previous Question is defeated, Matheson said he would offer an amendment to the rule.  His amendment would block the FY'07 automatic cost-of-living pay raise for Members of Congress.

"With gas prices high and mortgage rates rising, most Utahns are looking for ways to economize. Congress could do with some belt-tightening in Washington," said Matheson. "Let's have an open debate about whether or not Congress deserves a pay raise this year."

Matheson-a Co-Chairman of the Blue Dog Democrats-said that with a more than $8 trillion federal debt, putting every American man, woman and child on the hook for $28,000, reigning in spending is overdue.

Matheson last year introduced a bipartisan bill that would eliminate the automatic pay adjustments for members of Congress-HR 4494.

Matheson said that in the event his efforts fail, he will once again be donating his annual pay raise to local Utah charities.

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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)