February 10, 1977
Page 4327
OPPOSITION TO PAY RAISE
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I opposed the pay raise when the question came before the Senate.
The question is not whether Government officials merit the proposed increase or whether adjustments are needed to keep pace with the cost of living. The issue is one of national leadership.
We are emerging from a period in which our Government has recorded the highest deficit in our history. We are attempting to regenerate an economy which has kept millions of Americans out of work. At the same time as we are seeking to boost the economy, we are attempting to avoid the peril of a new inflationary cycle.
The average Maine family experiences, every day, the effects of inflation, and a weak economy. Its members cannot adjust their incomes to deal with the problem and they feel powerless to alter the situation.
Our citizens are looking to us for leadership in restoring the Nation's economic health, and improving their circumstances. Yet Congress gave up an opportunity to show the people that we are willing to stand with them in our effort to break out of our economic troubles.
The Peterson Commission, created by President Ford and charged with making recommendations about salary increases for officials at the highest levels of the three branches of government, has documented the problems of recruiting the most qualified Americans for those positions at current pay levels. The salaries in question have only been increased once — a 5 percent increase — since 1969. Private wages went up 70 percent in the period.
Nevertheless, I believe that Congress must be willing to show restraint at a time when we are asking the American people to show restraint while we struggle out of the worst recession in four decades.
During my campaign for reelection, I told Maine people I would work to improve economic opportunities in our State. I made that my number one priority. Congress had the chance to demonstrate that is still our first priority by rejecting the pay raise. Instead, by allowing the raise to go into effect, Congress will have to pay an enormous price in public confidence.
This is why I opposed the pay raise.