What comes of this and other discussions about the subject ... seems like the old promises are trashed to pay for new programs and expenses.
The purse strings should first open for what's in place, what's already funded as continuous obligation, the existing expenses, before adding new expenses.
We earned it - that's really the bottom line - we already paid, so we should get what we paid for, and let the 'newbies' pay for the new programs. Every congressman has two hands, and the very least, quit signing off raises with one hand, while cutting promised obligations with the other.