Senate Democrats try to thwart GOP move on pay

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are trying to thwart Republican efforts to force a vote on congressional pay raises on a must-pass spending.

Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter's amendment to the stopgap legislation would ban congressional pay raises unless lawmakers vote to increase their own salaries. He argues that these automatic salary boosts are inappropriate while the nation is mired in a recession.

Lawmakers aren't arguing publicly with that reasoning. But Democrats want to bring up the proposal as a separate bill even though its prospects would be dim. Critics say that's really an effort to kill the proposal.

Many lawmakers are loathe to go on the record in favor of raising their own salaries during the economic crisis.

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