Today, Congressman Harold Ford released the following statement in support of yesterday's vote in the Senate against the annual pay hike:"Yesterday's vote in the Senate to forgo the Senate's annual pay hike to help pay to rebuild the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina was the right vote. I would have voted with the Majority in the Senate. I will now urge the House leadership to give up our pay hike to help pay for the Katrina clean-up as well."
Ford also sent to a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt calling on them to bring the same measure to the floor of the House of Representatives:
October 19, 2005
The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker of the House
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Roy Blunt
Acting Majority Leader
217 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Hastert and Leader Blunt,
I am writing to urge you to follow the Senate's example and bring to the floor as soon as possible legislation suspending automatic pay hikes for members of Congress. Although a small amount, the pay hikes could be used to help pay for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
I urge you to act promptly and I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
HAROLD FORD, JR.
