Dent, Cartwright Differ in House Vote Against Federal Pay Hike

LV Congressman Charlie Dent joined all House Republicans and 43 House Democrats in rejecting a 0.5% pay hike for federal workers, scheduled to take effect in April. The final vote was 261 in favor and 154 opposed.

Dent has consistently supported the Simpson-Bowles budget recommendations, which include a three year freeze on pay raises for federal government workers. This would lead to $11 billion in savings over ten years.

“We must address Washington’s spending problem,” said Dent. “I am shocked when some people still say things like, “Well, but that’s only a billion dollars a year, that doesn’t mean anything.’ You have to shake your head,” Dent said.

“That’s the exact attitude that has us running deficits over a trillion dollars a year. When does Washington begin to recognize how wrong it looks for legislators to increase the pay of federal government workers when wages in the private sector are stagnant?” asked Dent.

Federal workers continue to enjoy a significant pay advantage over their private sector counterparts. In 2010 the average wage for federal employees was $83,679 as compared to $51,986 for private sector workers. They are in the second year of a pay freeze/

This House vote has no impact on those serving in the military.

Though Dent said No, LV Congressman Matt Cartwright supported the wage hike. He explains why he thinks a wage hike is warranted:

“While Congress has only two weeks to prevent sequestration and take action on a comprehensive solution to our deficits, the House wasted time and taxpayer dollars this week on a bill that once again targets federal employees and does nothing to prevent automatic spending cuts set to go into effect on March 1. Federal employees are middle-class Americans who have already contributed $103 billion towards deficit reduction. These hardworking men and women, who serve our country so diligently, are the only working Americans who have been asked to contribute to deficit reduction. We cannot put the burden of our fiscal challenges on their shoulders alone.”

“Federal employees provide important services to communities across our country – they serve alongside our military personnel, keep our borders safe and secure, support our veterans and our seniors, ensure the safety of our families, conduct life-saving research, and fulfill countless other responsibilities. To single them out and continue to ask even more of them is unfair and unwise policy that undermines our ability to recruit the skilled workforce our nation expects. I oppose efforts that continue to target our public servants, and hope that Congress will get serious about a fair and balanced plan to prevent sequestration and put our country on a sound fiscal path.”

Who do you think is right? Dent or Cartwright? I side with Dent on this one. We need to address the nation's deficit, which is the biggest threat to our national security. Federal employees are being asked to wait one more year. The number one impediment to progress is that no one is willing to start anywhere. This is a start. A small one.