President Obama plans to approve pay raises for members of Congress and the Vice President to begin 2013. Ohio 16th District Republican congressman Jim Renacci says that's ridiculous.

Renacci tells AkronNewsNow Congress needs a wake-up call at a time when many Americans are still struggling financially.

He plans to introduce legislation to block the pay raises for Congress. Renacci called the President's decision out of touch, especially at the same time talks continue to avoid falling off the fiscal cliff.

News Release From 16th District Congressman Jim Renacci

Today, U.S. Representative Jim Renacci (OH-16) released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s unilateral decision to lift the federal pay freeze and his intent to introduce legislation to ensure Members of Congress and the Vice President do not receive a pay increase:

“At a time when millions of Americans are still struggling to recover from the Great Recession, it is ridiculous that President Obama would lift the pay freeze on Members of Congress and the Vice President. As we teeter on the brink of the fiscal cliff, this decision is nothing short of irrational.

“Therefore, I will be introducing legislation to reinstate the federal pay freeze for Members of Congress like myself and for the Vice President. Washington’s dysfunction doesn’t deserve a raise, it needs a hard dose of reality and I am happy to help supply it.”