Pay raise

Pay raise

(Editor's Note: Paul Kerman, of Missoula, wrote a letter to Sen. Max Baucus that concluded by saying members of Congress did not deserve a pay raise.) Here’s the senator’s response:

Dear Paul:

Thank you for contacting me about congressional pay raises. I appreciate hearing from folks back home on this issue. Like you, I feel strongly about this — I will not vote for a congressional pay raise.

I believe that Congress should concentrate on the needs of the American people, and not their own financial well-being. In 2005, I voted against a congressional pay raise. Rest assured that I have opposed such proposals in the past, and I will oppose any proposed congressional pay raise for this year.

I want you to know this year that I will continue to focus on my common sense priorities for Montana — strengthening Social Security and Medicare, creating jobs for working families, improving education for our children, and helping Montana farmers and ranchers.

Sen. Max Baucus

Washington, D.C.