Clark ad challenges Bachmann to cut Congress pay

DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark is issuing a challenge to her opponent, Rep. Michele Bachmann, in a new ad to be released tomorrow: cut congressional pay by 5 percent and forgo raises until the federal budget is balanced. Clark said that while she was in the state Legislature, she cut her state compensation and budget. Bachmann did offer legislation this year to cut raises for members of Congress — as well as all federal employees — though she hasn’t gone as far as Clark is suggesting.

In a message to supporters on Wednesday, the Clark campaign wrote:

In 2008, when our nation faced the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann increased her office budget and expenses on the taxpayer’s dime. She spends more taxpayer dollars on campaign-style mailings and radio ads than any Minnesota Member of Congress. She even spends more taxpayer money on self-promoting media staff than she does on legislative staff.

That’s why I am issuing a challenge to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann today. It’s one thing to talk the talk when it comes to fiscal responsibility, but I’ve actually walked the walk. I’m proposing that Michele Bachmann – and all Members of Congress – cut their pay by 5% and keep it frozen until the budget is balanced.

Here’s Clark’s new ad:

And here are Bachmann’s remarks on the House floor in May urging an end to pay raises for Congress and federal employees: