Congress is entertaining the idea of freezing their own salaries much like Barack Obama did for his top staffers.

From the Politico

President Barack Obama’s decision to freeze top White House staff salaries may force members of Congress to do something they never want to do — block their own automatic pay increase. 

But what Obama could do by executive order, Congress would have to accomplish by a vote. 

With the country in economic turmoil, 80 House members have already signed on as co-sponsors for a variety of bills that would prevent automatic congressional pay hikes or at least require a roll-call vote before they take effect. In the Senate, Louisiana Republican David Vitter has introduced his own legislation. He doesn’t have any co-sponsors yet, but Obama’s pay freeze — coupled with what’s likely to be a $1 trillion federal deficit — could put pressure on other members to get in line quickly. 

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said his leadership recognizes the political peril in accepting a pay hike during an economic downturn — but hasn’t decided whether to support a pay freeze.

With the Democrats firmly in control and Obama setting the agenda on salaries the pressure to take action will be greater than it ever has been, but don’t hold your breath.

 

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