A long time ago, I wrote a letter to my Congressman, Henry Hyde IL-06, to express the disgust I felt over congressional pay increases.
Well, months and months later, I finally got a response, and I thought I would share it with all of you.
I especially feel sorry for the "dual residence" problem that Mr. Hyde points out, especially since I work 60+ hours a week to afford the rent and utilities for my apartment.
More below the fold...
So here, in all its glory, is Mr. Hyde's letter. (emphasis is mine)
August 30, 2006
Ms. Laura ***
********
****, Illinois ***
Dear Ms. ****:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your opposition to a congressional pay raise. I appreciate the opportunity to explain this issue because there is a great deal of misinformation in this area, leading to considerable confusion.
First of all, Congress did not vote itself a pay raise. What occurred was that Congress did not vote to block an automatic cost of living adjustment (COLA). In 1989, when Congress withdrew permission for Members to earn honoraria, the congressional COLA was passed into law, calculated on a fixed formula based on the Employment Cost Index. This annual COLA which took effect in 1991 was supposed to obviate the need for periodic pay increases. However, from1994 through 1996, Congress passed special legislative language each year denying itself the automatic annual COLA for the following year. In 1997 Congress did not take an affirmative step to block the congressional COLA law, thus
a 2.3% COLA automatically takes effect for 1998.
It is important to recognize that judicial and high level Executive Branch salaries are tied to congressional salaries. In the years that Congress voted to deny itself a COLA, its vote also had the effect of denying the adjustment to federal judges and other federal officials. In an attempt to at least partially remedy this situation,
I have sponsored a bill which would decouple judicial salaries from congressional ones. I believe that it is grossly unfair to allow the salaries of our federal judges to stagnate in the face of inflation due to congressional action aimed at itself.
As to congressional salaries specifically, this is a particularly difficult issue for me to discuss. Obviously a cost of living adjustment to my salary benefits me personally. However, most people don't understand the expense of living in a very expensive city (Washington) and maintaining dual residence. The necessity to maintain two households, one in Washington, D.C., and another in our home states, is extremely costly, ever the more so each year as inflation takes its effect. As you know, COLAs are used to counter the effects of inflation on federal pensioners, social security recipients, military personnel, and federal employees, as well as congressmen. I don't believe that any of us want Congress to become the bastion of only the wealthy, where we are represented solely by millionaires who can afford the costs of public service. I honestly believe that our Nation would suffer greatly if that were to come to pass.
I can certainly understand the frustration that many people have with our government and I can understand how this frustration can be directed toward Congress. I can assure you that I share that frustration, but I honestly believe that we are making significant improvements and definitely headed in the right direction. Much more can and should be done to reduce the size of the federal
government and its overall cost on taxpayers.
Under the Republican leadership in Congress we have seen the first tax cut in sixteen years and are finally well on our way to a balanced budget. Simply put, these would not have been possible without a Republican Congress. Not all of our initiatives have
made it into law. The President has seen fit to veto many of the reforms that were carefully crafted by Congress through negotiation and, at times, difficult compromise. Accordingly, our efforts, while significant indeed, often have been incremental. Nevertheless I remain committed to reducing the size and burden of the federal government while maintaining the necessary protections that federal laws provide.
I hope you understand my position, even though we may not
completely agree on all matters. I do appreciate you taking the time to contact me and look forward to hearing from you if there is anything I can do for you in the future.
Very Truly Yours,
Henry J. Hyde
Could I be any happier that this man had decided not to run for office this year? I can't believe the lies...all the lies.
Please let me know what you think.