a letter from a politcian: Dear Ms. Jackson: Thank you for contacting me about the salaries and benefits provided to Members of Congress. I appreciate your comments, and I agree that Members of Congress should be held to the same standards as all other Americans. I also share your concerns regarding Members who seek to use their position to obtain special benefits. As you may know, Congress is required by Article I of the Constitution to determine its own pay, and on several occasions it has done so by enacting specific legislation. In 1989, Congress passed the Ethics Reform Act (P.L. 101-194), which established an annual salary-adjustment formula. The adjustment is based on changes in private-sector wages, and it is automatic unless Congress intervenes. When the salaries of millions of American taxpayers are determined by their job performance, I question any law that grants an automatic pay increase to Members of Congress. I have supported efforts to block these automatic pay raises. For example, I supported an amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-8) that would have eliminated them entirely. Additionally, I supported the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240), which was signed into law on January 2, 2013, freezing Members' salaries through the end of the year. I also cosponsored the No Budget, No Pay Act (S. 1981), which would have prohibited Members from collecting their salary unless Congress passes a budget and the annual appropriations bills. I am disappointed that S. 1981 was not enacted prior to the adjournment of the 112th Congress. Furthermore, like all other federal workers, Members of Congress are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and may select from among several insurance plans. During the debate regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), I supported giving all Americans the same health care options that Members receive under the FEHBP, and I opposed preferential treatment for elected officials. I am honored to represent Texas in the United States Senate, and I welcome the input of citizens who take seriously their civic responsibilities. You may be certain that I will continue holding my colleagues accountable for the laws they pass. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Sincerely, JOHN CORNYN United States Senator

via Facebook a letter from a politcian: Dear Ms. Jackson: Thank you for contacting me about the salaries and benefits provided to Members of Congress. I appreciate your comments, and I agree that Members of Congress should be held to the same standards as all other Americans. I also share your concerns regarding Members who seek to use their position to obtain special benefits. As you may know, Congress is required by Article I of the Constitution to determine its own pay, and on several occasions it has done so by enacting specific legislation. In 1989, Congress passed the Ethics Reform Act (P.L. 101-194), which established an annual salary-adjustment formula. The adjustment is based on changes in private-sector wages, and it is automatic unless Congress intervenes. When the salaries of millions of American taxpayers are determined by their job performance, I question any law that grants an automatic pay increase to Members of Congress. I have supported efforts to block these automatic pay raises. For example, I supported an amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-8) that would have eliminated them entirely. Additionally, I supported the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240), which was signed into law on January 2, 2013, freezing Members' salaries through the end of the year. I also cosponsored the No Budget, No Pay Act (S. 1981), which would have prohibited Members from collecting their salary unless Congress passes a budget and the annual appropriations bills. I am disappointed that S. 1981 was not enacted prior to the adjournment of the 112th Congress. Furthermore, like all other federal workers, Members of Congress are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and may select from among several insurance plans. During the debate regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), I supported giving all Americans the same health care options that Members receive under the FEHBP, and I opposed preferential treatment for elected officials. I am honored to represent Texas in the United States Senate, and I welcome the input of citizens who take seriously their civic responsibilities. You may be certain that I will continue holding my colleagues accountable for the laws they pass. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Sincerely, JOHN CORNYN United States Senator