4th District Candidate Vows To Donate Parts of Pay Raises

4th District Candidate Sanders Vows To Donate Parts of Pay Raises
By IPBS News

A candidate for Congress is pledging to not accept salary increases that go against the spirit of the U-S Constitution. David Sanders says the 27th Amendment established the way members of Congress can give themselves raises. Those pay hikes must be approved to take place the following term, but Sanders says Congress passed a law to regularly give cost of living increases. The Lafayette area Democrat said Thursday that’s not right.

“It is essential that the U.S. Constitution receive the respect that it deserves,” Sanders said. “As your congressman, I will make a donation of part of the pay increase to the Lupus Foundation of America in memory of Lorraine Geyer and in honor of Joni Buyer.  I will also return part to the United States Treasury.”

Loraine Geyer is Congressman Steve Buyer’s sister-in-law, who died from lupus in 2008. Buyer’s wife, Joni, was diagnosed with the disease late last year, which is part of the reason he is not seeking reelection. Sanders faces Republican Todd Rokita and Libertarian John Duncan in the November election.