On the recordFebruary 15, 2013
I was unfortunately unable to cast a vote on rollcall No. 44 and rollcall No. 45 on February 15, 2013. On rollcall No. 44 I would have voted ``nay.'' H.R. 273 would extend the current pay freeze for federal workers by another nine months. Continued freezes, budget cuts to agencies, and ideological attacks on federal workers undermine the federal government's ability to recruit and hire a talented and high-skilled workforce while bringing us no closer to a responsible approach to deficit reduction. The men and women who have dedicated their careers to public service already have made sacrifices in pay and benefits totaling more than $100 billion to help reduce our nation's debt. On rollcall No. 45, H. Res. 65 condemning the Government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device, I would have voted ``yea.'' ____________________
