Kudos to North Texas representatives to the U.S. House -- Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville; Chet Edwards, D-Waco; Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas; and Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall -- for their votes last week against the congressional pay raise.

Unfortunately, the majority of their House colleagues did not share in their demonstration of humility. A 2 percent pay increase scheduled for January 2007 passed by a 249-167 vote.

Rank-and-file House and Senate salaries will increase to $168,500. The House speaker and Senate secretary each will receive about $217,300, and the majority and minority leaders of both chambers each will receive about $187,200.

For the record, the following North Texas reps voted in favor of raising their own salaries: Joe Barton, R-Arlington; Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth; Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas; Sam Johnson, R-Plano; and Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell.

This kind of bipartisanship the American people can live without.

Edwards summed up the reasoning for his vote well: "During a time of war and record federal deficits, it is inexcusable for Congress to give itself a raise. The American people deserve a better example of leadership and shared sacrifice."

Potential voters along every stop of the campaign trail for the November elections should ask those 249 representatives to defend their votes. It should make for some interesting spin.