President Barack Obama announced on his first day in office Wednesday that he is freezing the pay of the about a hundred White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.
The freeze would hold salaries at their current levels. It is part of a presidential memorandum being issued Wednesday when Obama attends a swearing-in for staff at the White House.
In a statement, Obama said "families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington."
Aides making above $100,00 include the high-profile jobs of White House chief of staff, national security adviser and press secretary. Other aides who work in relative anonymity also fit into that cap, if Obama follows a structure similar to the one George W. Bush set up.
"They deserve a government that truly is of, and by, the American people," Obama said.
It's a symbolic move, but one in the right direction.

No comments:
Post a Comment