Bush Approves Bill Reducing Secretary of State’s Pay

Though Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton still faces a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, President Bush removed one hurdle on her path to the State Department on Friday.

Mr. Bush signed a bill reducing by several thousand dollars the salary of the secretary of state. It was a crucial step in Mrs. Clinton’s confirmation process because of a clause in the Constitution that forbids a member of Congress from being appointed to a government position which was either created or given a compensation increase during the lawmaker’s current term.

The bill cuts the secretary of state’s salary from $191,300 to $186,600, its level in January 2007 when Mrs. Clinton began her second term in the Senate.

When Congress passed the bill last week, Judicial Watch, a conservative group that had raised the issue of Mrs. Clinton’s eligibility for the cabinet position, said that the salary change was not enough. At the time Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, called it an “end-run around the Constitution.”

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The All Seeing Eye December 19, 2008 ·

Bush did Clinton a favor?

Huh?

JP, milltown, nj December 19, 2008 ·

that’s the first thing he’s done right in….geez, i don’t know…how many years?

John D. December 19, 2008 ·

Technically, it still looks like she is in violation of the law to me if she takes the job. Nevertheless, according to the pretend law school “professor,” Barack Obama, the Constitution should adapt over time anyways…

Roz December 19, 2008 ·

No Bush did the Big 3 and Paulson a favor. Never a democrat – hence the REDUCTION of salary – less than Condi’s.

Ted Kopec December 19, 2008 ·

A conservative group accusing people of doing an end-run around the constitution. HAHAHAHAHA. The irony is palpable.

matt December 19, 2008 ·

Judicial Watch is simply playing a poor and slimy game of gotcha politics. The pay reduction legislative move has been done every time a Senator who was serving when cabinet pay went up is nominated for a cabinet post. This has been done for Republicans and Dems before.

Does JW really think Hillary expressly supported SecState pay raise to fatten her own coffers? Seriously?

//www.political-buzz.com/

Charles in KS December 19, 2008 ·

“that’s the first thing he’s done right in….geez, i don’t know…how many years?”

ever?

bob December 19, 2008 ·

Ever…it’s the first thing he’s ever done right since becoming a politician

Michael December 19, 2008 ·

The constitution doesn’t say she can’t get the higher pay. It says she can’t get the job.

After eight years of Republicans burning the Constitution, Democrats have to follow absolutely every punctuation mark to repair the damage.

There’s lots of people that would be great at the job. Why bother?

michael December 19, 2008 ·

Its worth noting that this is not the first time has ever happened, and throughout US history both Republicans and Democrats have resolved the issue the same way with no fuss from the other party.

Up until now that has been seen as a perfectly acceptable remedy and all of a sudden its an issue because its Hilary…

John December 19, 2008 ·

An “end-run around the Constitution” sounds like a reasoned explanation for the past eight years under “The Greatest Story Ever Sold.”

llyn December 19, 2008 ·

Well, we’ve seen this before. The more women there are in a profession or position, the less it is worth. Madeleine, Condi, and now Hillary. . . time for a downgrade. If this had been a position traditionally held by women, suddenly being mostly filled by men, guess what would have happened to the salary?

Tucker December 19, 2008 ·

That is very good and kind of him to do. I think he knows that it is important for Obama to have a resourcedul administration, even if Bush is not a Democrat. //www.electiongazette.com

Chuck22554 December 19, 2008 ·

Like Matt, I think the whole thing is preposterous, and I don’t much like that the solution involves a violation of the “equal pay for equal work” principle.

Ben Daggett December 19, 2008 ·

Ol’ Hillary thought she was gonna get away with something when she voted for that increase in ’07. Guess W. showed her a thing or two. Hee-hee.

vb December 19, 2008 ·

I think the law is an odd one. When an individual senator votes for a pay raise that probably includes other positions in the administration well before thinking about or actually getting such a position, it seems odd to penalize the person who finally gets the job. If Obama had voted for a raise for President, we’d be adjusting his salary too.

Linda New Orleans, LA December 19, 2008 ·

At the time Hillary voted “for” that salary raise, she was running for “President,” not “Secretary of State.”

cece December 19, 2008 ·

What ? Did someone put something in his tea ?

Lucy of NYC December 19, 2008 ·

Dog gone it, Daggett – think about what you’re saying and whether it really makes sense.

Do you really think $5,000+/- (or less than $400 per month) would really make a difference to Hillary when Bill has a net worth of approximately $100M. Does anyone in their right mind think Hillary is in this for the money?

Dag, think before you write.

peter griffin December 19, 2008 ·

until they balance our federal budget, they all ought to work for a dollar a year.
right, as if doing the right thing ever crosses their dim witted minds.

Zimmy December 19, 2008 ·

“until they balance our federal budget, they all ought to work for a dollar a year.
right, as if doing the right thing ever crosses their dim witted minds.” I’m with you Peter, sure is funny isn’t it – they on the hill figure we’re not aware they (our so called representatives) aren’t willing to let go of ANYTHING !! Carrying the load of bailing out the economy – rests on our shoulders. Wonder just how much in tax they pay ??

We hope they know – that we know.

kit ramsey December 19, 2008 ·

heck yeah.

they’re all millionaires. why do they even draw a paycheck?
or at lease pay a self imposed, voluntary “windfall profits income tax” or at least take zero deductions.

what happened to leading by example?

John Bailo December 19, 2008 ·

Why would anyone who has $100 million in the bank and has been a Senator want to be Secretary of State?

Short of finding us another Alaska to purchase, what could one do in the job to make it noteworthy?

Return to Civility December 20, 2008 ·

However did the man find time to do this? Given that he’s been so busy with that horrid little twisted cheney, churning out new regulations that enable his friends to further despoil the environment, I’m amazed he took the time to do this.

DAStubbs December 20, 2008 ·

Oh, this is rich! Bush makes an administrative change to comply with the law, and extremist republicans complain that he’s “making an end run around the constitution”.

Your dimwitted pretense at surprise is laughable. For Bush has made previous “end runs”, hasn’t he? Except you (and Judicial Watch) weren’t so concerned then, were you? It seems you’re able to pick and choose which end runs you support. Again, laughable.

I assume Sen. Corker will put a hold on her nomination hearings to keep Clinton from assuming office?

Republicans are going to be out of power for a generation. Deservedly.

DAStubbs,
Minneapolis