I was amused to read a headline today that said Democrats intend to block a planned Congressional pay raise at the start of next year. But it was all clear after reading the story, that this wasn't about Democrats wanting to be fiscal watchdogs as much as it was political grandstanding on raising the minimum wage.

Officials said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California and Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the party's leaders, had notified Republicans they will try to add the anti-pay-raise provision to a bill that provides funds for most government agencies through Feb. 15.

Congress must pass the funding bill before it adjourns for the year, and the target for that is Friday.

Democrats won control of Congress in last month's elections after a campaign in which they frequently criticized majority Republicans for taking pay raises while blocking numerous attempts to raise the minimum wage.

"It is unconscionable that members of congress would get yet another pay raise while the minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 an hour for the last 10 years. Senator Reid intends to do all he can to ensure that Congress won't get a raise until working families do," said his spokesman, Jim Manley.

Congressional pay raises have typically enjoyed bipartisan support and Nancy Pelosi in particular has consisted supported them in the past. Harry Reid has also has been known to support increasing his salary.

So, why have they waited until now to raise a stink about the congressional pay raise. While Senate Democrats were more than willing to filibuster judicial nominees, their desire to "give working families a raise," apparently wasn't worth the effort.

Democrats are acting as if they are looking out for the little guy by forgoing their own pay raise until the minimum wage is increased.. but the truth is this is just political posturing, designed to achieve the most political gain over an issue that enjoys popularity with the voters (raising the minimum wage), while exploiting an issue that is unpopular with the voters (congressional pay raises)... unfortunately, I suspect the minimum wage hike to make its way through Congress with little fuss... so this business about the congressional pay raise is just another lame publicity stunt that should be scoffed at and dismissed as such.

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