Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) on his vote today in support of H.R. 6726 that would prevent members of Congress from receiving a pay raise and freezing salaries through 2014:

"The president has attempted yet again to overreach his powers and raise the salaries of members of Congress during a time when hard-working Americans are struggling to make ends meet. I was proud to vote against this unnecessary pay increase. In the past I have voted to freeze congressional pay and I believe with the debt at $16.32 trillion we as lawmakers should be focused on reducing government spending.”