Rep. Axne Sponsors Amendment to Stop Pay Raises for Members of Congress

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA-03) signed onto a bipartisan amendment, introduced by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), that would stop a Democratic-proposed pay increase for Members of Congress. This week, the House is expected to vote on a trillion dollar funding bill that would provide a $4,500 pay increase to Members of Congress, making their total salary $178,500.

Last week, Rep. Axne introduced an ethics reform package to hold politicians accountable and to end the culture of corruption in Washington. The Clean Up Congress Act would 1) prevent member pay raises until Congress reduces the deficit to zero; 2) prohibit members from using taxpayer dollars on first class flights; and 3) institute a lifetime ban on members becoming lobbyists. At a press conference unveiling her ethics reform package last week, Rep. Axne also announced that she would reject the Democratic-proposed pay raise if it goes into effect.    

“Members of Congress should be working for their constituents, not for themselves or for special interests. We should be focused on cracking down on political corruption that is hurting Iowa families and holding Washington accountable, not on giving ourselves a pay raise,” said Rep. Axne.