Congressmen Ron Paul and Harry Mitchell Seek to Block Congress' Annual Payraise

Republican Congressman Dr. Ron Paul of Texas and Democrat Harry Mitchell from Arizona have sponsored federal legislation to stifle the $4700 receives yearly as a "cost of living adjustment".

Both men think that a raise of that magnitude in these troubling economic conditions, is not in the best interest of the nation.

Mitchell spoke out on the legislation in a statement "We’re in the midst of a recession, and our elected leaders need to do the right thing, for Congress to give itself a pay raise at a time when so many hardworking Americans are suffering is unconscionable.”

Ron Paul said that Congress turning down a pay raise would demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

If the Mitchell-Paul legislation becomes passes and becomes law, members of Congress would have to forgo their anticipated 2010 pay raise. That move would save taxpayers an estimated $2.5 million.

Mitchell and Paul introduced similar legislation last year to block the 2009 pay raise. H.R. 5087 earned 34 bipartisan co-sponsors.

The new legislation, H.R. 156, introduced yesterday has already garnered 57 co-sponsors, including another Texas congressman, Republican Michael McCaul.

In 1989, Congress passed a law that provides lawmakers with an automatic pay raise every January unless they vote specifically to reject the raise.