On the recordFebruary 14, 2013
I stand here in support of H.R. 273, a commonsense bill to overturn President Obama's recent executive order that authorizes a .5 percent pay raise for Federal workers. With the looming threat of sequestration just weeks away, Federal agencies should be focused on how to do more with less, like every other business does in America and every other family does in America. But the President's order would cost taxpayers more than $10 billion over 10 years. Here are the facts: in the last decade, the average Federal civilian salary has increased by 62 percent. When you factor in benefits and total compensation packages for Federal employees, it tops $126,000, compared to less than $63,000 in the private sector. I haven't heard the other side say anything about that. I'm a business owner. I have been in business for 41 years. I still own a business, and I hope to stay in business. When I pay pay raises to my employees, it's because of their loyalty and hard work, not simply because they're on payroll. My constituents in the 25th District of Texas are fed up with a government that spends, borrows, and grows too much. Let's protect hard-earned taxpayer dollars and pass this commonsense solution, H.R. 273.
