Benishek Supports Effort To Block Congressional Pay Raises

WASHINGTON, DC: Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01)  voted in support of the “Congressional Pay Freeze and Fiscal Responsibility Act,”a bill that will block President Barack Obama’s scheduled pay increases to Members of Congress in 2013.

“President Obama’s plan to increase the paychecks of Members of Congress and federal bureaucrats is just ridiculous. Families in Northern Michigan are really hurting right now and are rightfully fed up with the inaction in Washington. The last thing people in Northern Michigan want to see is the President giving lawmakers and the vice president a raise,” said Dr. Benishek, a general surgeon and Iron River native.

The “Congressional Pay Freeze and Fiscal Responsibility Act” will prevent an executive order made by President Obama on December 27, 2012, which would authorize pay raises for Members of Congress and Vice President Joe Biden. The current salary of Vice President Biden is $230,700 annually. The individual median income in Michigan’s First Congressional District is $38,700.

“Instead of giving more money to lawmakers, I want to see Congress and the President craft policies that will improve the economy and put more money in the pockets of hard-working citizens in Northern Michigan. I’m committed to fighting for improving my constituents’ paychecks, not my colleagues,” added Dr. Benishek.