WASHINGTON - With many federal employees facing a once-a-week furloughs and agencies planning cuts in services, some folks are asking whether Congress is also feeling the pinch of sequester. So far, the sequester isn't affecting congressional pay, though that could change in November 2014 under legislation recently introduced by Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif., and Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. But members...
WASHINGTON - With many federal employees facing a once-a-week furloughs and agencies planning cuts in services, some folks are asking whether Congress is also feeling the pinch of sequester.
The U.S. Capitol. Members of Congress face 8.2 percent cuts in their office budgets as a result of sequester.
So far, the sequester isn't affecting congressional pay, though that could change in November 2014 under legislation recently introduced by Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif., and Ron DeSantis, R-Fla.
But members are implementing 8.2 percent cuts in their office budgets, the same cuts required under sequester for most federal agencies.
The sequester began March 1 when Congress and the Obama administration failed to reach an agreement on alternative spending cuts and/or revenue increases. It means some $85 billion in across-the-board cuts for most federal agencies, including the Department of Defense.
Many federal employees have been told that starting in late April, they'll be furloughed one day a week - reducing take-home-pay by 20 percent. Cuts are expected to result in fewer opening hours at national parks, and longer lines for security and Customs at airports.
Already, the White House has eliminated tours popular with Washington D.C. visitors.
Last week, Reps. Bera and DeSantis proposed legislation that would impose an 8.2 percent reduction in congressional pay, now $174,000 a year, but not until November of 2014.
"As representatives, we should lead by example," Bera said. Congress can't act on pay until after the 2014 November elections because the 27th Amendment bars Congress from voting changes in its own pay.
With an average budget of about $1.3 million per House office, and $3 million per Senate office, the sequester's 8.2 percent reduction in spending per office isn't insignificant.
Louisiana members say they are adjusting.
"Knowing that the sequester was a possibility, my office and I worked early on last year to improve efficiencies and increase savings so--despite the sequester--we can continue to effectively work for and assist Louisianans," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.
A Landrieu aide said the staff is reducing travel by conducting more meetings via conference calls and video conferences, and that some staff vacancies haven't been filled.
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is also making adjustments, though no details were provided. "Sen. Vitter has been preparing for these reductions and has a plan in place to make sure he continues his full service to the people of Louisiana," Vitter spokesman Luke Bolar said.
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, has cut travel, and the amount of mail being sent to constituents, according to his spokesman Stephen Bell.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, said he's looking at ways to cut spending without cutting constituent service.
"We are asking many people to sacrifice or live within their means and I should be no different," Richmond said.
Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, said his office "will continue to offer our constituents the services they need and depend on."
So far the most noticeable impact has been longer lines to pass through security to get into the Capitol and Congressional offices. Last week, wait times were as long as 20 to 30 minutes for the Senate Dirksen Office Building, four to five times the normal wait.
Both Republicans and Democrats are considering budget language that would give the White House and federal agencies the same discretion congressional members have to determine how to cut 8.2 percent in spending for the remaining 2013 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. A House spending bill would give the Defense Department flexibility, but not other agencies.
But Scalise, the Jefferson Republican who chairs the House Republican Conservative caucus, said he suspects the GOP would be open to a reasonable deal with the Senate to increase flexibility for other federal agencies, as well.
He said it makes more sense for agencies to cut programs that don't provide essential services, while leaving vital work, such as food inspections, to operate at pre-sequester levels.