WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger was part of a successful bipartisan effort to block a pay increase for Members of Congress.

Following an effort by Spanberger and 19 additional Democrats and Republicans to block the proposed cost-of-living-adjustment, House leaders decided to delay consideration of the fiscal year 2020 Legislative Branch appropriations bill, which included a Member pay raise.

On “The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino” on Fox News yesterday, Spanberger commented on this development and called for the House to sharpen its focus on the priorities of Central Virginians—rather than debate Member pay increases at this time. Click here to watch her answer, and click here to watch the full interview.

“Before we even begin to consider a cost-of-living-adjustment for Members of Congress, we should be focused on how to pass legislation that ensures better pay, benefits, and retirement security for working families,” said Spanberger. “Central Virginians are facing increasing housing, food, and prescription drug costs, and we need to focus on those pressing issues. In the future, we can have a deliberate and thoughtful debate on the issue of how to address Member pay—but we shouldn’t let it distract us from this week’s legislation to fund our military, support research for rare diseases, and reassert the role of U.S. global leadership abroad.”

The bipartisan amendment to stop the proposed pay increase was also cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15),  Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06), John Rutherford (R-FL-04), Elaine Luria (D-VA-02), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Greg Gianforte (R-MT-AL), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY-22), Troy Balderson (R-OH-12), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ-02), Michael Bost (R-IL-12), Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), Phil Roe (R-TN-01), and Colin Allred (D-TX-32).

BACKGROUND

Since arriving in the U.S. House, Spanberger has worked to restore accountability in the U.S. political system. In March, Spanberger voted to pass a package of reforms that would strengthen transparency and limit the influence of special interests and undisclosed donors in the democratic process.

Spanberger is a cosponsor of the For the People Act, (H.R. 1), which would combat a culture of corruption in Washington by limiting the unmitigated political power of special interests and lobbyists, protecting and expanding the right to vote, and restoring ethics and accountability to the federal government. H.R. 1 would also push public servants to put the public interest ahead of large corporations, mega-donors, or their own interests.

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