Bill would cut lawmaker salaries

Democratic Reps. Dave Loebsack (Iowa) and Brad Ashford (Neb.) have introduced legislation to cut salaries for members of Congress.

Their bill, titled the Congressional Halt in Pay Increases (CHIP IN) and Cut Congressional Pay Act, would cut member salaries by ten percent and prohibit automatic pay increases.

{mosads}Rank-and-file members of Congress currently earn $174,000 annually. Members of leadership earn higher salaries, with the Speaker of the House earning the most at $223,500.

The lawmakers introducing the bill argue that lawmakers shouldn’t get pay raises while many of their constituents are still facing low wages.

“I believe that those elected to serve shouldn’t be in it to line their own pockets, which is why it is time to cut Member’s pay and stop the automatic increases that take place,” Loebsack said in a statement.

Ashford, a freshman lawmaker, suggested that cutting members’ pay could help reduce the deficit.

“With our country facing growing debt crisis this legislation is a good-faith effort from Congress to get our fiscal house in order, and I am proud to support this common sense legislation with my colleague from Iowa,” Ashford said.