Government Guide

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THE 111TH CONGRESS BEGINS
The 111th Congress will be sworn in at Noon(EST) on Tuesday. Congress.org will switch over to the new Members of Congress in our directory tonight. You can contact the new Members at that point with your goals, resolutions or messages for them. Let them know you are watching.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PROPOSED STIMULUS PACKAGE?
President-elect Barack Obama proposed a stimulus package of $800 billion. The proposed package consists of $300 billion in tax cuts and $500 billion in spending. The tax cuts would be geared at lower and middle-income workers in the form of $500 per worker tax credits on your payroll taxes. Businesses would receive various tax cuts including some geared at encouraging employers to hire new workers or delay lay-offs. The spending would be on infrastructure repairs and aid to the states for health care costs.

What do you think needs done? Should the stimulus bill be passed quickly, basically as currently proposed? Or should Congress take more time? And what provisions would you like to see changed, added or deleted to it? What should be done to stimulate the economy of the United States? Or should nothing be done? Pick your initial view below to get more details and tell Congress what you think.

ACTION POLL: (Cast Your Vote By Sending a Message)
Pass the Stimulus Package Quickly - As Is
Take Your Time - And Make These Changes
No Stimulus Package - Do This Instead

CONGRESS GETS PAY RAISE.
DO THEY DESERVE IT?
Under existing law, as part of a deal to give up outside income from speeches and other sources, Congress receives an automatic pay raise unless it votes otherwise. In January, Congress will receive a raise of $4700. This will increase the average Member's pay to about $174,000 or a 2.8% increase.

Does Congress deserve a raise this year? A bill was introduced to reject the pay increase, but it died in committee. Tell Congress what you think about this pay increase. (23,805 messages thus far)

3% Say Congress Should Accept the Pay Raise
97% say Congress Should Reject the Pay Raise

FIRST ITEMS ON THE NEW CONGRESS TO DO LIST
According to media accounts, each Party has some items they want to see Congress address right away next Congress. There are items, for example, that passed Congress but were vetoed by Pres. Bush, such as stem cell research. The GOP has items on their list they'd like to see addressed as well, such as child tax credits.

Take our Voice Vote on priorities for the next Congress to share your views.