WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Bush cleared the way Friday for Hillary Clinton to become secretary of state, signing a law that removes a potential constitutional barrier for the New York senator’s nomination by reducing her prospective pay as the nation’s top diplomat.
Congress voted in 2007 to raise the secretary of state’s salary by $4700. That move meant Clinton’s nomination was in conflict with Article I, section 6 of the Constitution, which prohibits members of Congress from raising the salary for a government job, then leaving the Capitol to fill the position themselves.
If she is confirmed, Clinton’s new salary will be $186,600 – less than the $191,300 now earned by current secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, but more than her current Senate salary of $169,300.
From CNN Politics
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Wow...just alter laws to fit whatever need and get around the constitution.
How many people in this country make well over $1oo,ooo.-??Are we supposed to feel sorry when one of these super-paid politician has to suffer a measly $5.000 pay reduction?
Her and every other politician's pay should be a function of the their net worth, not some figure that is correlated to inflation and not their true level of influence and responsobility. The taxpayers need that $186k more than Mrs. C. She and her Uber Sloth hubby must be worth in the mid 8 digits. If she cared about this country she would forfeit her salary and start a trend. $20M – $40M could do some good.
Spider...."New York got one of the best U.S. Senators to occupy the seat. What did Illinois get for their $169,300."
THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES AND LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD :}
Lauren,
The article was only 3 paragraphs so don't pat your back too hard. Heck, your racism reply was longer than the article.
And if you didn't vote for either one in the primary or election, did you vote Republican or not at all?
And finally, the article. Who cares? Really, who gives a rats dump if she makes a bit less?
Merry Christmas....Happy Holidays
It is a shame when you need to change our constitution, just so that hag can get a better job then the one she did not earn in New York.
I'm not sure why any one in their right mind would like her.
And keep in mind you Hillary lovers just because they set it up for her to be the next SoS does not mean she will be confirmed.
Me I'm just so tired of looking at that old hag and her stupid lies she tells every time she opens that fat mouth.
'to bad you mindless comments '
I take it you meant 'too bad that your mindless comments';
Education starts at home; get a tutor!
Dr. Martin Luther King and Senator Clinton in the same sentence . . . that is laughable!
I would venture to say that it will not be more than ninety (90) days into her term as Secretary of State and the salary will again be at $191,300 as it is now or possibly even a larger increase. After all you are dealing with the "great herself" she is entitled.
Why are people treating this as some sort of controversial issue? Its a constitutional requirement, not some sort of abuse of power or political infighting. Further, these people get paid a lot for jobs that requirement huge amounts of responsibility, skill, intelligence and effort (this applies to the current as well as the incoming administration). They would be making way more in the private sector, and it is unfair to criticize them for accepting that kind of pay. If you think you are qualified for that type of salary, why don't you run for office?
Congrats to Hilary! I am sure she won't be affected by the pay cut! can't wait to see what 2009 brings!! BTW I agree with Lauren!
to norma – wisconsin:
how dare you defame our President, our God-given leader??? you may not have voted for him, but like it or not, he NEVER brought shame to the White House like the Clintons did. where do you get the gall?? And how do you sleep at night???
Its a shame that so many people do not know what is in the Constitution. There is a whole wealth of information beyond the amendments.
Whatever happened to selfless service? I am hoping that she is taking this job for all the right reasons and not for the money or personal ego. Let’s face it, Hillary doesn't need the money. Whether she makes $191K or $186K a year, it is still a lot more money than the average American makes in one year.
norma – Wisconsin,
What are you talking about, had Hillary been republican and this having been vetoed?
President Bush needed to do this if Hillary were to become Secretary of State, as the article states, she couldn't have been able to serve in this capacity. It isn't about taking $4,600 from Hillary because she is a Democrat, do you think she even needs that?
Still twice as much as she is worth.
YOU GO GIRL–NORMA FROM WISCONSIN.-I totally agree.
Did I just see the words "God-given" to describe the office of the President?
Wow.
I agree with Norma, Anonymous is blind to the corruption of Bush
To 'Anonymous' responding to Norma:
Where do you get off telling a stranger they can't voice an opinion? You must really have enjoyed Bush's 'you're with us or against us' edict a few years ago, huh? It's people like you that need to see the light the most.
And, yes, Mr. Bush has brought shame to the White House. A failed war. A miserable economy. Out of control spending. The inability to ever admit poor judgment.
Finally, I'm sure you sleep just fine at night. After all, ignorance is bliss, eh?
i love Hillary and i know she will do a great job her and P.E Obama
Congress is demanding that executives of failing companies give up all perqs and take $1 per year salaries.
Since Congressional action is the cause of this crises (thanks Barney Frank and thanks Chris Dodd), and the government is running a trillion dollar deficit, I suggest that :
CONGRESS SHOULD HAVE A ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR SALARY UNTIL THIS ECONOMIC CRISES IS OVER.
This is for you "CanIcallyouJoe." Bush is doing one more important act before he leaves the Whitehouse and has to purchase his wife cookbooks again---HE IS LEAVING WASHINGTON WITH HIS HEAD HANGING LOW. Must be nice for his grandchildren, when they are in school reading about their Grandfather being the worst President in American History–pitiful what ignorance and greed can do to a man.
To anonymous – WOW. I didn't see the post you're referring to but my goodness ! While I certainly don't condone the behavior Clinton engaged in, I can't see where that was anything compared to the arrogance, hubris and incompetence of the current resident. If that's defaming, sorry, but it's true.
Marge -
Get over it. The Supreme Court and the State of Hawaii have found that his birth certificate is real, accurate, valid, legal (do I need to go on here?)...
Get over it. McCain lost. The fact that you have to hinge your dissent on such a completely ludicrous issue is hilarious.
Again, get over it.