Obama Freezes Pay for Top White House Officials

Susan Davis reports on the White House. President Barack Obama is bringing some belt-tightening to the White House. In one of his first official acts, the president announced an immediate pay freeze at current levels for senior White House officials. According to the Associated Press, the freeze would apply to about 100 aides earning over $100,000 a year. “This will enable the White House to stretch its budget to get more done for the country. The president and his staff recognize that in these austere times, everyone must do more with less, and the White House is no exception,” the White House press office announced in a statement. Seeking to make good on his campaign pledge to limit the influence of lobbyists on his administration, Obama also signed an executive order banning executive branch employees from accepting gifts from lobbyists, as well as tightening restrictions for lobbyists seeking jobs in his administration, and for administration officials who may leave to lobby. Obama ... (link)