Congressional NON-Pay Raise?

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the news.

Congress actually turned down their annual pay raise? What is this madness?

Citing concerns over election year pressures by constituents to keep Congressional salaries from rising, last week Congress collectively, and very quietly, decided to forgo their [seemingly permanent] pay increase, thereby [hopefully] garnering political clout in the eyes of the US constituency.

While the motivation behind the vote to status quo their pay is completely politically self-serving , at least they saw some shred of reason in the matter. It was a decent gesture during a time of ongoing financial hardship for many Americans. When the bulk of your constituents are having a tough time making ends meet, giving yourself a raise above the $174,400 you currently make is not only callous, but just plain unconscionable. Voters would be left with a huge distaste for current Congressional representation. This quiet vote was the right move, selfish though the motivation is.

While the warm fuzzy Congress sent out to the rank and files working-class may not last long, I personally welcome the gesture...however hollow it may be.