The really sad part of it is they think this will improve their popularity with a country that have held them in low esteem especially since the budget ceiling fiasco.
"The House of Representatives, seeking to cut the U.S. deficit and burnish its own tarnished image, passed a bill on Wednesday to extend a pair of pay freezes for federal workers, including one for lawmakers."
"The 309-117 vote seemed largely symbolic, however, since the Senate is expected to reject the election-year measure."
Ah. The Democratic Senate. I think of what Nancy Pelosi said once: We have a Democratic President. Thank God! I thank God we have a Democratic President.
The House Republicans were clever politically by attaching a pay freeze for lawmakers to it-so when Democrats vote against it they can claim that the Democrats voted to increase their own pay.
Nice try, but:
"Democrats said they agree that lawmakers should not get a pay hike while Americans struggle with a weak economy. But many argued that workers in federal agencies deserve one."
What's rich is the idea that the way to win votes is to cut America's pay. For a party that is such a fan of markets they have little concept of proper incentivization.
When the pay freeze for federal workers was enacted a couple of years back, I recall that there were some substantial loopholes.
ReplyDeleteIt was something like--no raises, BUT there were automatic boosts not covered by the freeze when workers got more seniority. So, even though there was a "pay freeze", many gov't workers saw pay increases.
Will that happen again?
Agree with you that this is a winning issue for Repubs. Federal workers are too numerous, too well compensated and contribute way too little.
Take TSA as an example.
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/01/31/is_being_a_moro.html#.TyfvuTlih9A.twitter
“Instead of screening passengers as they boarded trains — which is standard security procedure — officers were screening passengers as they were getting off trains.”
Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHouse Dems jump in....in a big way.
"The House on Wednesday evening handily approved a GOP proposal to extend the pay freeze for federal workers through 2013, despite the high hurdle for passage set by Republican leaders.
The House voted 309-117 in favor of the bill, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required for passage under a suspension of House rules. Republicans needed about 50 Democrats for passage, and the bill, H.R. 3835, was supported by 72 Democrats."
I don't actually think it's a winning issue for the Repugs. They're trying but it's not going to work.
ReplyDeleteIt will be stillborn in the Senate.
"I recall that there were some substantial loopholes."
"It was something like--no raises, BUT there were automatic boosts not covered by the freeze when workers got more seniority. So, even though there was a "pay freeze", many gov't workers saw pay increases."
Good, I hope that's true. In your face Mr. Scrooges!
I'm afraid Mr. Anonymous the Repugs are finding winning issues few and far between these days.
Certainly Mitt Romney's general cluelessness is not a winning issue though he is going to be their face to the public for the next nine months.