Indecision Lifts for 3 Republicans Who Approve Bill for Higher Pay

Overcoming their aversion to congressional pay increases, three conservative San Fernando Valley-area Republicans joined a House majority Thursday in voting for a bill to raise their annual salaries to nearly $125,000 and tighten ethics rules.

In all, five Valley-area representatives voted for the controversial bill, which passed 252 to 174. Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino (R-Ojai) cast the region’s sole opposition vote. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) missed the tally because of a family illness but recorded his support for the measure.

Republican Reps. Elton Gallegly of Simi Valley, Carlos J. Moorhead of Glendale and William M. Thomas of Bakersfield had been undecided as late as Tuesday but wound up voting for the bill, emphasizing the ethics reforms while defending the pay hike. They were joined by Democratic Reps. Anthony C. Beilenson of Tarzana and Henry A. Waxman of Los Angeles.

“It may not have been politically the smartest thing to do because I don’t think all of the voters are as aware of this whole package,” said Gallegly, who reported hearing from 200 constituents opposed to the measure.

Gallegly, Moorhead and Thomas reversed their positions of last February, when Congress defeated a proposal to give members a 51% raise without strengthening ethics rules.

Thomas, whose district includes the northern Antelope Valley, said the new bill “strikes a good balance between the twin issues of congressional ethics and congressional pay.”

Moorhead said: “I felt it was important to be on board on the ethics package. “People say that they want me to do something about the ethics of the Congress and vote against the pay raise. What do you do when you get them both up together?”

Moorhead said the raise was needed to attract “top-quality people.”