House of Representatives votes to end the 14th and 15th month salaries this Wednesday.
The draft legislative decree has already been approved by the Senate, but has been awaiting a vote by the Chamber of Deputies since September of last year; Currently, the benefit, worth R$ 26,7, is paid annually in February and December.
Ivan Richard
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia - Party leaders in the Chamber of Deputies decided this Tuesday, the 26th, that the proposal to eliminate the so-called fourteenth and fifteenth parliamentary salaries will be voted on this Wednesday, the 27th, in the House plenary. The draft legislative decree has already been approved by the Senate, but has been awaiting a vote by the deputies since September of last year.
"The Senate had already approved the proposal, and it received an opinion from the special committee of the Chamber last September. All the leaders signed the urgency request, which will be voted on tomorrow. This is not a decision of the president, but of all the leaders for the good of the House, the Parliament, and the country," said the president of the Chamber, Deputy Henrique Eduardo Alves (PMDB-RN).
He explained that the proposal does not definitively eliminate the benefit. Under the rule to be voted on, each member of parliament will be entitled to receive two extra salaries during their term: one at the beginning and another at the end of the legislature. Currently, the benefit, worth R$ 26,7, is paid annually in February and December.
"It's a national disgrace, indefensible and inexplicable," stressed the PSDB leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Congressman Carlos Sampaio (SP). "We have to have an equitable situation with every Brazilian citizen," reinforced the government leader, Congressman Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP).
The leaders also decided today that in the first week of April, issues related to political reform will be put to a vote, even if there is no consensus. "What damages the House's image is inaction. I want the Chamber to start voting. What dictates the House and its image is indecision, and that has to end. We have to put the projects on the agenda, and whoever has the votes to win, wins, and whoever doesn't, respects the result," emphasized Henrique Alves.
Edited by: Talita Cavalcante