Never heard of Coffman, and this bill will never see the light of day, but it's a hell of an idea. I'm guessing the Deficit President (watch him struggle with baseball's opening-day pitch) is no fan of this idea.
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(WASHINGTON) — Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) this week introduced a bill that would subject federal civilian employees to a two week furlough in 2011 and reduce salaries of members of Congress by 10 percent saving taxpayers more than $5.5 billion. The bill, H.R. 6134, is a one year measure to reduce federal spending and combat the unsustainable deficit spending in Washington.
Introducing his bill, Coffman remarked, “Currently, at least 24 states, and nearly three quarters of a million workers, are undertaking a budget-cutting maneuver that I believe we should institute at the federal level: short term employee furloughs. These states, across the nation, along with city and county government counterparts, recognize that occasional worker furloughs are necessary to cut budgets and hold down spending. It also has the benefit of ensuring that federal workers are not sheltered from the realities of life in today’s economy.”
“One of the most unpleasant adjustments a former small businessman or former state legislator - and I am both - faces in coming to Washington is the unlimited ability of the federal government to deficit spend. Furlough Fridays are becoming a common occurrence for state and local governments. They present slight problems but they provide large solutions to the budget troubles we face. I believe that managed appropriately, with due allowance for vital and national security implications, as specified in this bill, they can do the same for the federal government.”
“The federal government continues to grow, and continues to rack up debt. I would like to make the U.S. government as cost conscious as the states. My legislation is a start,” Coffman concluded.
Coffman’s bill, H.R. 6134, will make federal civilian employees subject to a non-consecutive two week furlough in 2011, correspondingly reduce appropriations for salaries and expenses for offices of the legislative branch, and provide a 10 percent reduction in pay for members of Congress. An exception is provided for national security or reasons relating to public health or safety, including law enforcement. Coffman’s bill will save the federal government over $5.5 billion.
H.R. 6134 is available here.
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