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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Anonymous December 19th, 2008 5:49 pm ET
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??
Yet you just insulted one of our former "God-given leaders"
You bloody hypocrite. What are you, a religious nutso?
B*llcr*p!!! Hillary will be 10 times better than Condolisa Lice as Secretary of State. Rice just benefitted from travelling a lot around the world without accomplishing anything. Did we gain back the trust that we lost from our allies. NO. We are hated more than ever and economy is hurting because of a moronic president. The nightmare of 8 years will not be forgotten for a very long time. And this America will be Bush legacy, 8 years of hell, poverty, and hardship for the real Americans who work hard everyday.
To Anonymous, who just responded to Norma:
Your litmus test for shame seems to be out of whack. Bill Clinton made some bad personal decisions, no doubt, but personal to his own family and relationships. Dragging the country, including my brother and several of my friends, into an endless and unprovoked war which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties (both American and Iraqi); chipping away at civil liberties and the constitution; permitting torture; consistently demonstrating a lack of understanding of the english language and grammar; reversing important environmental regulations that would help preserve the earth for future generations, etc., etc., etc.??? Now THAT seems pretty shameful to me.
Shame on YOU for not seeing the bigger picture. MY God certainly would.
Clinton doesn't need the extra $4700. Most of the contributions to the Clinton Foundation, now conservatively estimated at over $500 million, were secured WHILE she was running for president, with most of the major contributions coming from countries that allow our enemies to run rampant. I'm sure that the terrorists who helped finance the Clinton's for reelection, and also their "library", will make up that $4700 difference...in exchange for favorable diplomatic relations that allow them easy access to subvert our nation. When it comes to "dirty", Bush can't even carry the Clinton's jocks (Hillary wears one, too, in case it hasn't been obvious).
Concerning Mr. Warren and his anti-gay rhetoric–bad move on the President Elect's part. I believe now we need at the inauguration, a anti-black speaker, anti-white speaker, anti-woman speaker, anti-Jewish speaker, and the list goes on. This is another one of Obama's bone-headed ideas that he will regret. Everyone that is to speak or participate in the inauguration of our new President should be inpartial to everything-exept everyone as equal and just be glad the country, hopefully will be on a new course. (WHAT WAS OBAMA THINKING!!!!!!)
I wouldn't want that job for twice that.
Just like many of you, I agree that many politicians are overpaid, but unfortunately if we don't pay them enough, a lot of them are less likely to have the American people in mind, and instead have rich contributors in mind.
Take George W Bush, for example.
Lets say the people of America pay you $400,000 a year to be president. And another group(The Saudis and the Bin Laden Family) pays you and your friends $1.4 billion over a number of years? Who are you going to be loyal to? That's how much the Saudis and Bin Laden family paid the Bush family and friends over 3 decades. Look what resulted from that. Gee, I wonder why Bush isn't aggressively hunting Osama down.
We all must do what the celebrity elite ruling party says.
I think all elected officials should only get paid in stock like Goldman-Saks or Merrill Lynch or World com or or citi bank . You get the picture !
The elected officials get a salary and all the benefits along with appointments (like on different Committees that are for huge dollars) and a staff that costs the American taxpayer about 2.5 to 5 mil a year
so a salary is no big deal. This is all for the taxpayers to feel safe and for our freedom?
Hillary is a great choice! I can think of no better choice. I didn't vote for Obama, but am happy to see where he is going so far in his cabinet choices, with the exception of Richardson. I am a single mom who works 2 jobs and am earning nearly 100K. For those of you whining about how much she earns or anyone else for that matter, get a life and get off your butts! Hillary didn't come from a weathly family and she is where she is due to hard work. She is worth every dime and more!
All elected officials should get paid in stock. Like Goldman-Saks or Merrill-Lynch or Citi Bank or World com . You get the picture!
The total amount that the congress (house and senate) makes in total is paltry compared to the $700,000,000,000 bailout given to the banks. they should've let the banks fail and let the good conservative mid-markets take over. sorry to change the subject, but it seems strange to argue at this point about this pocket change... but yeah, 200K / year would be very nice.
NEWSFLASH: She's rich. The salary doesn't mean anything to her. The position is a stepping stone to the presidency and that's all she cares about.
She made more when she worked for a law firm in Arkansas. I think she made 250K. So this is not important to her.
i dont know why so many people hate the clintons sure theyve done some questionable things ...but what politician hasnt ? including bush's whole administration..lets not forget under the clinton admin
we had some of the lowest unemployment rates, highest minoritys employment rate and at the end of his term he left the country with an extemly low deficit ,one of the lowest in history which is more than we can say for our currnet president that all the republicans love
Congress just got a pay raise...
OMG! I thought the nastiness of the campaigns were bad. People on the right side of the issues seem to me to be getting more and more hateful (if that is even possible). How can you people live with yourselves? I'm ashamed that such viciousness is coming from the heart and minds of fellow Americans. Disagree and argue all you want, that is our right as Americans – but please, stop with the ugliness. It is not fitting of a society as great as what we once were and what we will be again.
And Anonymous who wrote @ 5:49 ET that Bush was a God-given leader: For that to be true, one of two other things would also need to be true. 1) The US Supreme Court is God. or 2) God is really a very evil being intent on destroying the world that he created. Which one do you think it is???
Clinton is the prime facie example of power corruption. No wonder the world is such a mess. Remember the Clinton are shameless. They will say anything to beg for money. Bill Clinton used his power position to beg for money worldwide. Money stays in the power circule, not trickling down to the needed. They rich give to each other for reasons of power, tax evasion, gaining more power and fame and quidproquo. My ordinary world citizens, don't give a dime to these non profit profiteers! especially the Clintons like!
No problem about the pay cut. Her husband has been begging money worldwide. He got money from the richest and the rich to give him. The Clintons have made millions from the various business schemes. Now after the money, she wants fame and power.
OH please as she cares.. the saudis have paid her and bill's lifetime salaries, trips, homes, clothing, food, and that of chelsea's and her pets....
do you think this woman cares about a meager $186,000 a year while her cheating husband pays her millions to keep her quiet about his affairs and deals...........
OH PLEASE
Really people if most of you would just read the constitution you would see that what is happening is following the law. this is not racial, it really has only one thing to deal with and that is the constitution. Even though Hillary didn't imagine being secretary of state it was still a violation and it had to have a quick fix. I may not like Bush but I will give him once bit of credit for working with Obama to make this a smooth transition of power. Hillary will end up probably being one of or the very best Sec of State we have ever had.
So those of you that choose not to read please take a few moments to know how your government works, how the constitution works then make logical, credible remarks.
I feel this is a misinterpetation of Constitutional law.
The salary for Secretary of State was increased while Hillary Clinton was a Senator preventing her from taking the position. Undoing the salary increase doesn't change the fact that is was increased.
If I run a stop light in my car will the cop that wants to ticket me let me off the hook if I go back and stop at the light? What's done is done.
Anyone who thinks Clinton cares about the salary is completely clueless. The Clintons have made tens of millions of dollars from Bill's speaking fees since he left office. She does not need or care about the salary, she would take the job if it paid nothing.
WOW! Are the american people stupid...no wonder we have such
a money problem.....I think I will run for the senate...All I have to do is chance my last name and I will be in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the money!!
NO Education....and NO training!!!
No wonder Michelle does not respect the USA or want to be 1st Lady!!
Now I see why! Of course now that we have a KING instead of a President I am sure things will be different! Right?
Wow... I make more $$ than the US Secretary of State.