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Green Bay Press-Gazettehttp://greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090318/GPG0101/90318123/1207/GPG01Feingold urges House to reject automatic pay raises, too
By LARRY BIVINS • Press-Gazette Washington bureau • March 18, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Russ Feingold today likened automatic pay raises for members of Congress to the bonuses American International Group is giving its executives, creating a public uproar.
During Senate floor remarks, the Wisconsin Democrat urged the House of Representatives to back the Senate in ending "taxpayer-funded bonuses" for members of Congress.
"These bonuses are paid every year, often without any public discussion or a recorded vote by those with the authority to approve or stop them," Feingold said. "The people giving themselves these bonuses have made sure that they get them regardless of their performance."
Feingold applauded the Senate's passage on Tuesday of legislation to scrap the automatic pay raise system, something he has opposed for almost 20 years. He told colleagues he has refused to accept annual pay increases during each six-year term, returning the money to the U.S. Treasury.
Feingold was a co-sponsor of an amendment to the omnibus spending bill that called for ending the automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment. The latest increase of $4,700 came in January, pushing the salary for rank-and-file members to $174,000. House and Senate leaders get more.
Debate over the pay raises has intensified as the nation's economy reels and, more recently, amid growing outrage over AIG's $165 million in bonus payments. Critics say it is unconscionable for a firm that took government bailout money to award extra compensation to its top employees.
Feingold said he urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a letter today to pass the Senate bill......................
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Feingold is an example of a grand Senator. He does the US proud.
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