For Immediate Release:
Thursday, June 29, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren voted yesterday to block an automatic congressional pay raise.  In a procedural motion, Boren voted to force the House to consider an amendment to the Transportation and Treasury Appropriations Bill which would have blocked a pay raise for Congress. 

 

To the dismay of Boren and others who opposed the pay increase, the effort failed by a vote of 263 to 152.  

 

“A pay increase for Congress is unnecessary at this time,” Boren said. 

 

“How can Congress justify a pay increase when countless Oklahomans continue to struggle and make ends meet?  Instead of lining its pockets, Congress should be investing in education, improving roads and infrastructure, and paying down our national debt,” Boren said. 

 

“This raise should go to soldiers, teachers, veterans, and all other deserving Americans,” Boren explained.   

 

Under current law, members of the House and Senate will receive an automatic pay raise of approximately $4,000 in 2005 unless Congress takes action.  An annual increase in congressional salaries was made automatic by Congress in 1989.

 

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