House Approves 1997 Pay Freeze

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 17) -- The House was to continue debate on a spending bill today, one day after it overwhelmingly approved a measure that would freeze congressional pay in 1997.

The freshmen-sponsored measure with bipartisan support would also deny a pay raise to federal judges and senior Clinton administration officials, including the vice president and Cabinet members. This would be the fifth year they have not received a pay raise.

The House vote canceling a 2.3 percent cost of living increase -- roughly $3,000 for most House members -- was 352-67. The increase would be paid to other federal workers not covered by the pay freeze.

The amendment freezing congressional pay passed despite the objections of senior House members including Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) who said it was a misguided attempt to win votes in November. "We're going to pass this amendment so everyone can go home and beat their chest and say, 'I was against raising my pay,'" said Hoyer.

He said Congress would eventually be forced to approve a larger raise to make up for the higher cost of living.

Also on the losing side was Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) who said: "We're leaving the House to people who either were born with a silver spoon in their mouth...or couldn't get better jobs in the first place."

But freshmen Reps. Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.), Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) and Bill Luther (D-Minn.) argued in favor of the freeze, which leaves the base salary for House members at $133,600.

Metcalf said lawmakers and other senior officials should be denied raises at least until they balance the budget. He contended his measure would save $47 million over five years.

"We all know there are unique financial demands on members of Congress (to maintain two homes)...but many American families have to make do with far less," Metcalf said.

"We all know we must lead by example," Tiahrt said.

The pay freeze was added to a bill providing $11 billion in fiscal 1997 for the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department, White House and other government agencies. Once passed by the House, the broader legislation, one of 13 regular spending bills, would have to be reconciled with a yet-to-be-written Senate version.

Debate on the overall bill focused on an 11 percent cut, to $6.6 billion, in the budget of the IRS. About 2,000 jobs at the agency would be eliminated. The Clinton administration warned the result would be delayed refunds and crippled revenue collection.

"Horsefeathers," replied Appropriations subcommittee chairman Rep. Jim Lightfoot (R-Iowa), who nevertheless signaled his willingness to compromise when the House bill is reconciled with the Senate's.

House Approves 1997 Pay Freeze

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