Obama Orders Pay Raise for Congress

[LiberalElite]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/obama-pay-raise-congress_n_2377714.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

President Barack Obama gave a New Year's gift to returning members of Congress, federal workers and Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, signing an executive order calling for an end to a years-long pay freeze.

[LiberalEsto]

1. They don't deserve it.

Put that money into Social Security and Medicare

[Cha]

11. But, the Federal Workers do deserve IT. And according to FACT CHECK.org..

Under current law, pay increases are determined by a cost-of-living formula, and they take effect automatically, unless Congress votes to stop them. And in fact, that’s what has happened for the past two years. Congress denied itself any pay raise in 2010 and in 2011.

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/congressional-reform-act/

[LiberalEsto]

13. That slipped past me. Of course the workers should get a raise.

I meant members of Congress.

.

[Cha]

14. The republicon members of congress do not deserve it.. I agree.

But, it's an automatic law unless they vote to not increase their salary.

[Mass]

2. The pay freeze affects federal workers. So progressives seem here to say they are too well paid.

Last edited Sun Dec 30, 2012, 02:57 PM - Edit history (1)

[mac56]

4. This

[LiberalElite]

5. I say Congress isn't worth it.

[NMDemDist2]

7. .5 of 1% isn't going to do me much good

won't even cover the tax raise if we fall off the cliff.

but at least there's some movement after almost 3 years of a freeze

[democrattotheend]

9. Exactly. This headline is misleading

I don't know if the president has the ability to raise the pay of all federal workers except members of Congress. And other federal workers, especially low-paid Congressional staff, really do need the raise. Their pay has been frozen for 2 years.

[Drahthaardogs]

19. Obama froze federal pay via executive order.

It was a "we all have to sacrifice" moment meant to appease the Rethugs during one of their wailing and whining fits. He rescinded it. Federal workers are supposed to get small COLA raises every year but cannot negotiate raises, etc. during boom times. It is a trade off.

[santamargarita]

3. These assholes should pay us.

[fugop]

6. No one ever seems to get past "pay raise for Congress..."

Because federal workers, like those in my family, have been getting screwed with no raise for years in spite of a lot of friggin' hard work. So instead of jumping to condemn the gift of a half-percent to 1-percent raise (not exactly a bonanza for most of us), remember: it isn't just about lifting the pay freeze for useless Congresspeople and for Joe Biden, who, sure, don't really need it so much. But a lot of people who work damn hard and get lumped in with the wealthier government employees are finally getting a break. I say bless 'em for all they do every day.

[NMDemDist2]

8. ^^^^^

and thanks!

[Cha]

10. According to factcheck.org .. It's Automatic unless Congress votes to stop them..

Under current law, pay increases are determined by a cost-of-living formula, and they take effect automatically, unless Congress votes to stop them. And in fact, that’s what has happened for the past two years. Congress denied itself any pay raise in 2010 and in 2011.

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/congressional-reform-act/

[NYC Liberal]

12. Here's why this is really happening:

Congress gets automatic COLA adjustments in their salary.

However, these COLA adjustments cannot be larger than the COLA adjustment for General Schedule federal employees. Because the pay for federal employees has been frozen since 2010, effectively so has Congress'. (Though Congress has also specifically stopped their COLA adjustment by law).

The president can by law specify a pay raise for federal employees if Congress either doesn't pass a law providing for it or simply doesn't specifically prohibit it.

Obama now has ordered a pay increase for federal employees (lifting the pay freeze). Because Congress has not passed a law stopping their own raise, they automatically get it because the General Schedule salary has been raised. (Whereas if it had remained frozen, they effectively would not have since the raise could not be larger than the 0% raise for federal employees.)

[Arkana]

15. I suppose for everyone except Congress, this is a good thing.

But none of the folks in the Senate or House have earned an extra dime.

[WI_DEM]

16. Good for Federal workers they deserve a raise.

[Filibuster Harry]

17. Congress should vote NOT to give themselves a raise. They don't deserve it. Where are the

fiscal conservatives on this issue? Why aren't those house Rs stating that we can't afford to give congress a raise?

[Smile47]

18. Hold Congress Accountable

Even though this is a small increase, we cannot allow this to happen because it is essentially reinforcing Congress' unacceptable behavior. Let's show Congress that we do not approve their unwillingness to put the American people's interests ahead of their party's interests. We're tired of Congress' lack of accountability and irresponsibility. Click to take action, then share widely!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Ask_President_Obama_to_annul_his_executive_order_that_gave_Congress_unjust_pay_raises/?wKpJndb