In the February 4th article entitled Austria Economics 101,” Representative Austria was unfairly criticized for not supporting the “Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act.” While it’s true that he did not join Representatives Kilroy, Latta, and Space as “Original Cosponsors” on January 6th, he did add his name to the list of this bill’s Cosponsors on January 21st — two weeks before the above article was printed. Three more of Ohio’s Representatives (Boccieri, Driehaus, and Kaptur) have signed on since then, raising the total number of Cosponsors from the article’s figure of 72 to 107.
In spite of such rapidly growing support, this pay freeze legislation lies buried in committees just like its previous two versions in 2007 and 2008. If anyone would like to help get the number of its official supporters up to a majority (218) of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, then please consider signing the online petition at www.payfreeze.org. A majority of 218 should be enough to pressure the congressional leadership into allowing it to be debated and voted on.
By Tom Foreman, Gainesville, FL