Henry Bonilla: “I strongly object to the motion being considered today and urge my colleagues to oppose it and vote no. Simply put, this…”

“I strongly object to the motion being considered today and urge my colleagues to oppose it and vote no. Simply put, this congress has not had the opportunity to vote on stopping the automatic cost-of-living increase for Members of Congress. I believe that it is wrong to increase congressional pay at a time when we must make further cuts in Government spending to balance the budget. At the very least, the American people are entitled to a vote so that they know their Member of Congress' position on increasing their own salaries. I want to make it very clear that I would vote no if there was such a vote. Should we fail in our effort to stop the pay raise I will donate the entire amount to charity. I will only accept the salary I was elected to receive.”