Quigley Says "No" to Congressional Pay Raise

Co-sponsors bill blocking automatic raises for Congress, returns $100,000 to Treasury

WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) signed on as a co-sponsor of a measure to block federal lawmakers from receiving automatic pay increases for the 2011 fiscal year.

"I am honored to hold the job my constituents have elected me to do, but know that others are not as fortunate," said Congressman Quigley. "With unemployment in Illinois above the national average and a soaring national deficit, elected officials need to spend taxpayer dollars more wisely, by taking care of working families, not ourselves."

Quigley joins nearly 120 co-sponsors on H.R. 156, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act, a version of which blocked the automatic pay increase for FY2010.

Quigley is also returning $100,000 of his annual office budget back to the U.S. Treasury as part of his commitment to fiscal responsibility.