Lawmaker seeks 10 percent pay cut for Congress, White House

Proposed legislation would slash pay for members of Congress, as well as the president and vice president.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., on Thursday introduced a bill (H.R. 1012) that would cut lawmakers'salaries by 10 percent, effective in January 2013. The legislation also would mandate a 10 percent reduction in pay for the president and vice president.

"We've voted to reduce our massive deficit by billions in order to create a better environment for job creators -- but we haven't cut a dime from our own paychecks," said Beutler. "The savings ought to start with us."

The president and vice president receive $400,000 and $230,700 each year, respectively. Rank-and-file members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, while party leaders make more. Lawmakers determine their own pay, but have voted not to raise member salaries since 2009.

President Obama in November 2010 announced a two-year pay freeze for all federal civilians, a provision supported in his fiscal 2012 budget proposal. Some lawmakers have called for additional pay cuts, including a freeze on step increases and bonuses, while conservative analysts are advocating for a pay system that brings federal salaries in line with the private sector.