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| <p>February 9, 2004</p> | |
| <p>Deficit Accountability Starts Here</p> | |
| <p>Dear Colleague:</p> | |
| <p>With federal spending at an all time high, it is time that Members of this House assumed responsibility when the government runs a deficit. I’m sure every Member of Congress has received hundreds of constituent letters expressing their anger with our yearly cost of living adjustments (COLA). Year in and year out, we must attempt to explain to constituents why Members automatically receive salary increases regardless of increased deficit spending. With this in mind I am re-introducing a simple bill that will hold Members accountable when the government runs a deficit. </p> | |
| <p>The <em>Deficit Accountability Act of 2004</em>, will provide that no automatic pay adjustments be made for Members of Congress in the year following a fiscal year in which there is a Federal budget deficit. If this Congress cannot work together to keep spending levels down, then it stands to reason that we should not receive an increase in pay. We must lead by example and I believe that this simple measure helps us do just that.</p> | |
| <p>I hope that you will join me as an original co-sponsor of the <em>Deficit Accountability Act of 2004</em>. If you should need any further information, or if you would like to lend your support to this bill, please contact me, or Nick Dietzen of my staff at 5-5744. </p> | |
| <p>Sincerely,</p> | |
| <p>Cliff Stearns</p> | |
| <p>United States Representative</p> | |
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