Dem criticizes Congress for leaving without pay cut vote

While many on Capitol Hill were sharply criticizing Democratic leadership this week for adjourning without taking a vote on extending the Bush-era tax cuts, one vulnerable Dem lashed out at leadership for not considering a pay cut before leaving for the campaign recess.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) wanted a vote on her legislation to cut congressional pay by five percent to help cut down the debt.

“Congress refuses to take action and demonstrate they realize that they need to start making some tough choices to get our fiscal house in order,” Kirkpatrick said in a statement Friday night. “My bill is just one small step towards restoring fiscal discipline – recognizing that those who got us in this mess can’t ask others to cut back before they make some sacrifices of their own. It is long overdue, and it’s hard to imagine who could oppose it.

“Yet the legislation has been shut out – it has not even received a hearing, let alone a vote.”

Kirkpatrick lamented that the chances were dimming to pass the bill this Congress.

“Congressional leadership must stop ignoring the voices of the public now and start making the case that they can be trusted to repair the damage – by voting to cut their own pay before they adjourn in January,” she said.

Kirkpatrick faces a tough re-election campaign against dentist Paul Gosar (R). A poll at the end of August showed Gosar ahead by six points, and Real Clear Politics rates the race a toss-up.

Kirkpatrick and another vulnerable Dem, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), called on the Senate to come back to Washington during the summer recess and tackle border security concerns. Kirkpatrick also has called on the administration to not sue her home state over its controversial immigration law, and she also called on embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel (R-N.Y.) to resign.