U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today voted against giving herself and other members of Congress a pay raise.
“Last year I promised Southern Arizonans that I would not vote for a pay raise until Congress balances the federal budget,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “Today I fulfilled that promise.”
Despite Giffords' objections, Congress failed to block an automatic pay raise that will boost members' annual salaries to almost $170,000.
Members now earn $165,200 a year. The 2.7 percent pay raise is equivalent to an additional $4,460.
“American families have to live within a budget and Congress should do the same,” Giffords said.