FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Congressman Peters’ Statement on HR 273

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement on his vote on HR 273.

I have long been an advocate of No Budget, No Pay – the principle that if Congress is not doing its job and passing a budget, we should not be paid at all, let alone receive a pay increase. Since the effect of HR 273 is to avoid a raise in my own pay, I voted in favor. 

I would have preferred the alternative approach suggested by my colleagues, Mr. Connolly and Mr. Cummings, whose bill provided an alternative to HR 273, allowing only Congressional members’ salary to be frozen.  Unfortunately, the majority did not even allow Congress to vote on this approach.

As a San Diego City Councilmember, Council President and Port Commissioner, I have long opposed the effort to blame our public sector employees who perform some of our most difficult and important tasks for budget problems that were created through no fault of their own. Now, as a Congressman, I see the same kind of unfair demonization taking place here. It is my hope that in the end, Congress and the President tackle the real budget challenges we face, including spending, revenues and the promotion of economic growth and domestic job creation. Delaying a half-percent raise for employees who have gone without an increase since 2009 is not an answer but a distraction.

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