Kirkpatrick pushes congressional pay-cut bill

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) is renewing her push for passage of a bill that calls for lawmakers to take a pay cut, following the release of a poll that shows a majority of Americans support the move.     

Kirkpatrick's bill calls for lawmakers to take a 5 percent pay cut from their $174,000 annual salaries, saving about $4.7 million a year. 

A Rasmussen poll released this week shows 75 percent of likely voters want Congress to take a pay cut until the federal budget is balanced.

"This poll is a clear sign that folks want Congress to take action now," Kirkpatrick said in a statement. "That starts with having every member vote on this issue on the House floor as soon as possible."

The 5 percent cut would amount to about $8,700 a year for each lawmaker. 

"The fact is, Congress has no credibility on this issue. The people have heard a lot of tough rhetoric about fiscal discipline, but for more than ten years, what they’ve actually seen from both parties are growing deficits and skyrocketing debt," she said. "Members can’t ask anyone else to cut back before we are willing to make some sacrifices of our own. It’s time for us to stop talking and start leading."

Kirkpatrick has already voluntarily cut her own salary, sending about $870 for seven months back to Treasury Department's Bureau of Public of Debt, an aide told The Hill. 

The bill has 29 co-sponsors but hasn't gained much traction with House Democratic leadership since the legislation — the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act — was introduced in March. 

Lawmakers' last pay raise — about $5,000 — was in January 2009. Since then, Congress has voted against the automatic cost-of-living pay raise for 2010 and 2011. 

"This country is facing a fiscal crisis, and Congress cannot keep leaving the tough decisions for next week or next month or next year," she said. "We need to stand up and say no more bailouts, no more wasteful spending, no more ducking the hard calls. The days of consequence-free spending in Washington are over — Congress needs to show the people they understand that."