Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 28, 2005)

SPEECH OF HON. JERRY MORAN OF KANSAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2005

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 3010) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

* Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to voice my opposition to the existing law that provides an automatic annual cost-of-living pay increase for Members of Congress.

* While I appreciate the hard work of my colleagues on this bill, I object to the process and believe it should be reformed. Failure to allow an up or down vote on this issue only serves to increase cynicism towards the political process and confirms the feeling of many voter that their representatives are out of touch. The American public deserves better. Members of Congress should be on record with our constituents as to whether we believe an increase in our salary is justified. Given the opportunity, I would vote ``no''.

* Fiscal discipline must start with Members of Congress. While our nation's economy continues to improve, our national debt remains at unprecedented levels and many rural Americans are struggling. Struggling to put food on the table. Struggling to make their farms and businesses profitable. Struggling to pay skyrocketing medical costs. Struggling to educate their children. Struggling to save for retirement. The people we represent deserve responsible government and Congress should not receive an automatic cost-of-living increase during these challenging economic times.

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