McCaskill camp: Todd Akin's consistent; he always votes to raise his own pay

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

At tonight’s debate, Todd Akin failed to answer for his long history of voting to increase his own Congressional pay while, at the same time, voting against crucial programs for Missouri’s veterans, working families and farm industry. In each of the seven years Akin tried to increase his own salary, he turned his back on Missourians with extreme votes that often put him at odds with mainstream Republicans.

“It’s appalling enough that Todd Akin would vote against the Farm Bill, veterans benefits, school lunches and exploited children, but to cast those votes all the while trying to raise his own pay is just beyond the pale,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. “While Claire’s been fighting on the side of Missouri families, veterans and farmers and voting repeatedly to stop pay raises for members of Congress, Todd Akin has done the opposite, which tells Missourians all they need to know about Akin’s priorities.”

Akin recently told KQTV news "I don't vote for increases to my pay,” and despite unquestionable evidence of the statement’s inaccuracy, Akin added, “that's done along with all the federal employees, so that's not true.” Akin also failed to answer for his repeated votes to slash benefits for veterans, saying only that he’s “introduced bills” about veterans, without providing any further details or justification for his misplaced priorities. [WATCH CLIP]

Akin’s misplaced priorities:

• In 2007, Akin voted to raise his own pay while opposing the Head Start program. Akin was one of only 36 Members of Congress to do so.

• In 2006, Akin voted to raise his own pay just one month after voting to cut veterans benefits by $6 billion.

• In 2005, Akin voted to raise his own pay while supporting a budget that cut veterans programs by $13.5 billion.

• In 2004, Akin was one of only five members of Congress to vote against the National School Lunch Program. That year, he also voted to raise his own pay.

• In 2003, Akin voted to raise his own pay just four months after voting against funding for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

• In 2002, Akin voted against the Farm Bill, the only member of the Missouri delegation to do so. Two months later he voted to raise his own pay.

• In 2001, Akin voted to raise his own pay just five days before he voted against fully-funding veterans benefits.