Golden a ‘no’ vote on CR over Congressional self-dealing
Pay raises, health care perks have no place in spending deal, Congressman says
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he will vote against the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through March, over inclusion of Congressional pay raises and more generous health care benefits for members.
The CR, released by Republican leadership last night, omits language freezing Member of Congress cost of living adjustments (COLAs), triggering a pay raise. Members of Congress currently earn $174,000 annually — more than 90 percent of Americans. If enacted, this CR would allow for a 2025 adjustment of 3.8 percent, which would result in a Member salary increase of $6,600.
It also includes a provision long sought by Republicans that would allow members to purchase health insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, rather than through the ACA exchanges as has been required for years. The move would have federal dollars fund a larger share of members’ health care premiums, reducing their out-of-pocket health care spending at taxpayers’ expense.
Both provisions were inserted into the CR without debate or notice to members.
“Congress should be working to raise Americans’ wages and lower their health care costs, not sneaking new member perks into must-pass legislation behind closed doors,” Golden said. “If members can’t get by on our already generous salaries and benefits, they should find another line of work. As long as these provisions are in the CR, I will vote against it.”
Golden has long led the charge against congressional pay raises, including successfully blocking COLAs in prior spending bills. He most recently led a bipartisan coalition opposing member raises in June.
Because of deflections in his own caucus, GOP Speaker Mike Johnson needs Democratic votes to pass the CR and avoid a shutdown.
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