KING VOTED TO RAISE HIS PAY BY $15,000

Since coming into Congress in 2003, King has voted every single year to increase his pay.  When he arrived in Congress, King’s pay was $154,700.  By 2008, after voting every year to raise his own pay, King’s salary grew to $169,600 – an increase of nearly $15,000.  His pay rose despite Congress’ record low approval ratings, the inability to pass meaningful immigration reform, and consist years of record spending and deficits.

Budget Deficits and Spending Are at an All-Time High.  According to the AP, “The Treasury Department says the federal deficit swelled to $263.3 billion in the first five months of this budget year as record spending during the period outpaced record revenues. … The latest year-to-date budget deficit of $263.3 billion was an all-time high, the government said.  Spending totaled a record $1.23 trillion, while revenues totaled $967.2 billion, also an all-time high.  For the month of February alone, the government ran a deficit of $175.6 billion, a record for any single month.” [Associated Press, 3/12/08]

Congress Received Record Low Approval Ratings.  In May 2008, according to Gallup, “Approval of Congress has dipped below 20% for only the fourth time in the 34 years Gallup has asked Americans to rate the job Congress is doing. Today's 18% score, based on a May 8-11 Gallup Poll, matches the record lows Gallup recorded in August 2007 and March 1992.  Congressional approval started off the year at a depressed 23%, then dipped to 21% in March and 20% in April, before reaching the current record-tying low. The 76% currently disapproving of Congress is just shy of the record-high 78% in March 1992.” [http://www.gallup.com/poll/107242/Congress-Approval-Rating-Ties-Lowest-Gallup-Records.aspx]

2007: King Voted to Raise His Pay by $4,400. [HR 517, Vote #580, 6/27/07]  NOTE:  A “Yes” vote is a vote in favor of a pay raise.  HR 517, Vote #580, 6/27/2007 Passed 244-181

2006: King voted Against Blocking the Scheduled 2007 Cost-of-Living Increase for Members. 
HJR 20, Vote #72, 1/31/07 Passed 286-140

2006: King voted to Raise His Pay by $3,300. HR 5576, Vote 261, 6/13/06 Passed 249-167; R 130-92

2005: King voted to Raise Pay by $3,100. HR 342, Vote #327, 6/28/05 Passed 263-152; R 136-87

2004: King voted to Raise His Pay by $4,000. CRS Report for Congress, Salaries of Members of Congress: A List of Payable Rates and Effective Dates, 1789-2006, 2/24/06; Vote 451, 9/14/04, Passed 235-170

2003: King voted to Raise His Pay by $3,400. CRS Report for Congress, Salaries of Members of Congress: A List of Payable Rates and Effective Dates, 1789-2006, 2/24/06; Vote 463, 9/4/2003 Passed 240-173