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Should congressional pay be sequestered?
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Bill proposed to sequester do-nothing Congress' pay. Could this force progress in Washington?
- Duration 4:19
- Date Mar 13, 2013
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Bill proposed to sequester do-nothing Congress' pay. Could this force progress in Washington?
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-- The cuts are causing pain all across the country but not in one place congress.
But freshman representative Ron -- -- wants to put an end to that congressman you have -- plans to make get congress that feel some of the pay what's your plan.
Well my plans simple I think that the sequester should simply apply to our pay we are somehow exempted from that.
So you see other members of the federal work force TC members of the congressional staff may have to get pay cuts depending on how those budgets work.
I think that.
It's just part of being in a Republican form a government.
There were not exempting ourselves from the operation -- laws so it's it's a small money saver but I think speaks to a larger principle.
And I guess under the constitution you can't do it industry have to wait a candid -- salaries sound that good progress as such until the next term is that right -- confessed to now but it wouldn't it.
-- -- the next elections -- this and take effect right after the next election.
And really that the twenty something man was put in there to prevent pay increases but we have to be attacked Phyllis and abide by the -- so I don't wanna lose support for the bill by raising -- 27 amendment issue.
I know what you answered each Justine is that this is bipartisan get you on a Democrat -- some sort of yeah.
-- -- from California and down you know I think it speaks to frustration that people have with congress mean for example we've talked about this whole issue of the senate not doing a budget.
They're required to do by law on the they hadn't done for four years now finally because we -- -- with a no budget no pay they've done a budget.
And so I just think it's the idea that the American people they have to abide by rules that they -- abide by rules there's consequences and yet us up here.
What are we just a separate ruling class that doesn't have to do this and obviously I think that that's wrong.
But if I actually have I've been harping on and setting a bad message -- -- whether it's taking vacations in recess and without getting work done continue resolutions and not solving the problem blowing off deadlines.
I think your bill.
Is this -- one of the few instances where you say okay we're asking this in America people sort asked this of ourselves to.
Absolutely and down you know why would you exempt yourself.
From this and look I believe we need to cut spending -- arguing against spending cuts generally I'm just simply arguing against us getting a special exemption.
When other folks are gonna feel the pinch -- a democratic congresswoman from lack California in any other Democrats supported him.
You know I'm not sure that we were the kind of co sponsors of the bill we circulated I think you're gonna see a lot of people join particularly folks.
Who are relatively new -- congress either 2010 or 2012 class.
Because I think we have bipartisan desire to it to change the way congress function.
How do you inserting -- started -- there is asking price or start the talk with the Democrats because it typically Democrats Republicans don't speak in this city.
And death and don't there's a much bipartisanship really how did you how do you manage to serve worked the -- to -- working together on -- -- I had asked him because we both support no budget no pay.
You know you're supposed to do budget if you don't do -- you shouldn't get paid.
Comments about -- something that I we've signed -- to previously and I thought that this is a similar congressional Arizona can't congressional accountability measure -- you know we got a hold ourselves accountable and the thing is you gain credibility with the public if you're willing to live by the same rules as everybody else and guess what.
Then they're willing to listen to you about your views on other things because they think you're -- -- for the right reasons so I think.
Congress has a good opportunity.
To do something where the American people say you know what maybe they are starting to change it he can't heat from his leadership and you -- -- heat from your leadership unless.
I think gotten any heat from anybody.
But you know I just did because I thought it was -- right thing to do.
I was so -- LSU -- now that day here here and then watch what you think about this is just it's been that way I think what's going on here.
Well you and I talked before I go about just.
How legislation works like the average person average member of congress can't really understand the bills that are put forward there because there.
Complicated they reference all these other statutes.
And down I think that that we just moved away from a government where people can really participate.
Scrutinize legislation and offer their opinions -- it's a little bit frustrating to see it goes beyond just being a lawyer I mean you need.
To be a lawyer research that you need to be all the.
That's fun about the reliability because just so they can comprehend begin with and -- anyway this is a written attracted so Chris is such a crazy fashion kinda understand what.
-- thank you good luck can that your pay cut bill you're sequestered -- from members of congress salaries that -- very popular enough.