Obama Freezes Pay For White House Employees, Limits Lobbyists

(AP)

If you work in the White House and make more than $100,000, don't expect a raise anytime soon.

President Obama today announced that he is freezing the pay of aides making more than that amount, a group that includes the White House chief of staff, national security adviser and press secretary, according to the Associated Press.

"Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington," the president said.

The salary freeze wasn't the only thing Mr. Obama announced at an afternoon event, which also featured the swearing in of White House aides by Vice President Joe Biden. He announced a number of steps he said "represent a clean break from business as usual."

Among the announcements were new rules concerning lobbyists, including a requirement that aides not lobby the White House after they leave for at least two years.

In addition, current administration employees will be barred from working on issues on which they have lobbied in the past, and lobbyists will be forbidden from giving gifts of any size to members of the administration.

The rules on lobbyists are tighter "than under any other administration in history," Mr. Obama said, according to the AP.

The president also said he was altering policy when it comes to Freedom Of Information Act requests so that government agencies and departments are more responsive to the requests.

"For a long time now, there's been too much secrecy in this city," the president said.

News outlets and other groups and individuals submit FOIA requests when they are seeking information they believe should legally be made public. Mr. Obama said he wants agencies to make public such information whenever possible instead of looking for reasons to withhold it.

"...these historic measures do mark the beginning of a new era of openness in our country," Mr. Obama said. "And I will, I hope, do something to make government trustworthy in the eyes of the American people, in the days and weeks, months and years to come."


Below, a statement from the White House on the president's actions.

The President today signed two Executive Orders and three Presidential Memoranda. These five documents represent a bold first step to fulfill his campaign promises to make government more responsible and accountable, to launch sweeping ethics reform, and to begin a new era of transparent and open government.

Across the country, families are tightening their belts in this economic crisis, and so should Washington. That is why in the Presidential Memorandum Regarding Pay Freeze the President has announced that he will freeze his White House senior staff pay at current levels to the full extent allowed by law. This will enable the White House to stretch its budget to get more done for the country. The President and his staff recognize that in these austere times, everyone must do more with less, and the White House is no exception.

The American people also deserve more than simply an assurance that those coming to Washington will serve their interests. They deserve to know that there are rules on the books to keep it that way. In the Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel, the President, first, prohibits executive branch employees from accepting gifts from lobbyists. Second, he closes the revolving door that allows government officials to move to and from private sector jobs in ways that give that sector undue influence over government. Third, he requires that government hiring be based upon qualifications, competence and experience, not political connections. He has ordered every one of his appointees to sign a pledge abiding by these tough new rules as a downpayment on the change he has promised to bring to Washington.

In the Presidential Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government, and the Presidential Memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act, the President instructs all members of his administration to operate under principles of openness, transparency and of engaging citizens with their government. To implement these principles and make them concrete, the Memorandum on Transparency instructs three senior officials to produce an Open Government Directive within 120 days directing specific actions to implement the principles in the Memorandum. And the Memorandum on FOIA instructs the Attorney General to in that same time period issue new guidelines to the government implementing those same principles of openness and transparency in the FOIA context.

Finally, the Executive Order on Presidential Records brings those principles to presidential records by giving the American people greater access to these historic documents. This order ends the practice of having others besides the President assert executive privilege for records after an administration ends. Now, only the President will have that power, limiting its potential for abuse. And the order also requires the Attorney General and the White House Counsel to review claims of executive privilege about covered records to make sure those claims are fully warranted by the Constitution.

[kem45]

I can't believe folks are falling for that. of coarse he froze there pay for this year because they got over triple on there raises last year. He just needed the freeze to look good on him. does he mention that for 2009 White House Employees that get over $100k got between $4,700 to $6,100 in raises last year NOOOOOO why would he do something like that it would make him look bad. I would love to have that amount for a pay check opps never mind the taxes would take most of it and it would go right back to the leeches.
..............................................................
by magal1947 January 22, 2009 9:28 AM EST
If Mr. Obama REALLY wanted to be effective, why didn?t he freeze the WH wages at $12,000 a year...that''s where the REST of us are frozen at...with no prospect for a raise in sight. I heard that most of the WH employees make around $100M a year! Some sacrifice.....

(sorry but the lowest is $174,000 for this year If you want to know the truth go to Executive Order Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay at http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/disposition.html
..........................................................
by cheteunice January 21, 2009 5:35 PM EST
Is Obama freezing his salary at $100,000? Or is only the other people who need to tighten their belts!

( Obama salary is frozen at $400,000 every year he has to pay taxes on it + he gets $50,000 none taxable allowance.)Clinton changed the pay of the president from $200, to $400, oh and the taxpayers are still paying past living presidents pensions.

[rhs648]

Thank you President Bush. While you served as President, my state became the wealthiest state in America with the highest median income according to the most recent Census Bureau data. My family has prospered. Thanks to your efforts, my pension will be more secure because you allow us to put increased amounts in our qualified pension plans each year. My upcoming retirement will be more secure because you gave us a prescription benefit as part of the Medicare program. Hopefully, people will appreciate these improvements as they approach retirement age. Enjoy your retirement.

[mssinnia]

I think that this is the President''s way of making sure that government can identify with the American people. All I have to say is Great Idea!!!

[clovisbuford]

Thank you President Bush. While you served as President, my state became the wealthiest state in America with the highest median income according to the most recent Census Bureau data. Posted by rhs648 at 11:43 PM : Jan 21, 2009
Bush by the numbers:
Minimum number of Bush appointees who have regulated industries they used to represent as lobbyists: 98
Portion of all U.S. income gains during the Bush Administration that have gone to the top 1 percent of earners: 3/4
Increase since 2000 in the number of Americans living at less than half the federal poverty level: 3,500,000
Minimum number of laws that Bush signing statements have exempted his administration from following: 1,069

[rixmix98]

JoePack61 -

Is being stupid a full time job for you? You obviously don''t know what you''re talking about.

[pillbox67]

Good. I''m not getting a pay raise this year either.

[magal1947]

If Mr. Obama REALLY wanted to be effective, why didn''t he freeze the WH wages at $12,000 a year...that''s where the REST of us are frozen at...with no prospect for a raise in sight. I heard that most of the WH employees make around $100M a year! Some sacrifice.....

[b4ucmyi]

About time for Mrs. O to get sent on her first "fact-finding" tour. YA, BABY!!!!!!! Bring on the b*tches!!!

[httpwwwnews]

So? AlanW1077, she doesn''t look pretty to you, nevertheless she''s the First Lady, while you''re just a criticizing nobody. Whatever she has to say will be listened to, and you? Nobody cares what you have to say.

[gaye5]

AlanW1077 you said...
I was struck by how Michelle Obama''''s head, in profile, looks exactly like Neanderthal Man etc.

AlanW1077, although I am so dissapointed at the left getting in, I am disgusted at what you have said about Obama''s wife, she is a lovely looking woman, yes with a different look but still good looking in her own way.. to attack her on how she looks is just disgusting.. I just hope that you are not right winged as I didnt think someone would sink so low amongst the right, I am right but give these people their dew, he won for goodness sake, lets get behind them and make sure that they dont bring in any more stuff to take our society down...