On Tuesday night, a comprehensive 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) was unveiled, shortly before a looming government shutdown. Notably, the CR removes a crucial provision that has been in place since 2009, which prevented automatic pay raises for members of Congress. This alteration means that members of the House and Senate will receive a pay increase, a move that has sparked significant controversy and dissatisfaction among the public. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, emphasized the implications of this decision, unequivocally stating that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) translates directly into a pay raise for Congress members.
Historically, Congress has worked to reframe contentious legislative items to lessen public scrutiny, as evidenced by their new nomenclature for earmarks, now called “congressionally directed spending.” This practice is indicative of the ongoing challenges Congress faces in maintaining favor with constituents while pursuing initiatives that can be perceived as self-serving. The current spending bill is not the first instance of lawmakers using a last-minute legislative approach to benefit their own financial interests, which has further eroded public trust in the institution.
In the previous year’s lame-duck spending bill, Congress included provisions enabling reimbursements for various living expenses incurred while serving in Washington, including lodging, food, and travel. Reports indicated that individual members could receive reimbursements of up to $34,000 in the first year, on top of their base salaries, which are significant. Most lawmakers earn $174,000 annually, while leaders like the Speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tempore earn salaries of $223,500 and $193,400, respectively. The latest CR allows for an annual salary adjustment linked to the government’s Employment Cost Index, effectively normalizing the prospect of systematic pay raises for Congress without transparent public discourse.
The House is poised to vote on the CR by Friday, after which it will head to the Senate before arriving at President Biden’s desk for approval. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has led negotiations on behalf of the Republican Party, yet the deal’s timing and the controversial content have already faced backlash from GOP members from various ideological backgrounds. The inclusion of a pay raise could negatively impact Johnson’s standing among constituents and party members, even as the intricacies of the situation unfold.
Public disapproval of Congress remains notably high, with approval ratings consistently languishing in the teens according to recent Gallup polls. This context complicates the political ramifications of the CR and may influence how voters perceive both the spending package and its proponents within Congress. The growing unpopularity of legislative decisions such as automatic pay increases signifies a potential misalignment between lawmakers’ interests and those of their constituents, warranting careful consideration of public sentiment as the discussions continue.
Bradley Jaye, a Capitol Hill correspondent for Breitbart News, has been covering these developments closely. As debates surrounding the CR intensify, the implications of Congress’s approach to self-compensation will likely remain a contentious topic, illustrating a broader concern regarding accountability and transparency in government operations. Will lawmakers prioritize their financial gains over constituents’ needs, or will this new pay adjustment serve as a catalyst for greater reform and trust between the electorate and their representatives? The answer to this question remains to be seen.
