Your U.S. congressman just got a raise

[Hum]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Despite record low approval ratings, House lawmakers Tuesday embraced a $3,300 pay raise that will increase their salaries to $168,500.

The 2 percent cost-of-living raise would be the seventh straight for members of the House and Senate.

Lawmakers easily squelched a bid by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, to get a direct vote to block the COLA, which is automatically awarded unless lawmakers vote to block it.

In the early days of GOP control of Congress, lawmakers routinely denied themselves the annual COLA. Last year, the Senate voted 92-6 to deny the raise but quietly surrendered the position in House-Senate talks.

"I do not think that it is appropriate to let this bill go through without an up or down vote on whether or not Congress should have an increase in its own pay," Matheson said.

But by a 249-167 vote, the House rejected Matheson's procedural attempt to get a direct vote on the pay raise.

The pay raise would also apply to the vice president -- who is president of the Senate -- congressional leaders and Supreme Court justices.

It does not affect the President.

source

[Echilon]

Sounds about right for an MP in the UK. They're massively overpaid for the work they do.

[Hum]

Well, afterall, they must pay for that expensive gas to fill up their SUVs. :laugh:

[Aaron Veteran]

And all for just over 3 months work...

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...487&hl=congress

[Starcom826]

Haha, too bad we can't give them something like stock so that their pay is tied to their performance.

[Hum]

Haha, too bad we can't give them something like stock so that their pay is tied to their performance.

Hah -- add some good sense to Congress ? Dream on. :laugh:

[bubka]

what a bunch of idiots, american wages are declining, republicans give themselves a raise, got to love those voice votes, like when they voice voted to outlaw lynching of blacks officially and apologize, like this will not be used against them in the fall

[SomeAzn]

what a bunch of idiots, american wages are declining, republicans give themselves a raise, got to love those voice votes, like when they voice voted to outlaw lynching of blacks officially and apologize, like this will not be used against them in the fall

Not sure I understand your post.

You're pro-lynching?

Also, it doesn't mention anything about republicans. In fact, it mentions that the GOP denied themselves the increase in past years.

And in case you don't get it still, GOP = republicans.

[xxpor]

yall can just cool ur jets, they dont get a pay raise untill they are reelected. 27th amedment:

Amendment XXVII (the Twenty-seventh Amendment) to the United States Constitution reads

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Laymans terms: after they pass a pay raise, they cant collect untill they are reelected.

[bubka]

Not sure I understand your post.

You're pro-lynching?

Also, it doesn't mention anything about republicans. In fact, it mentions that the GOP denied themselves the increase in past years.

And in case you don't get it still, GOP = republicans.

no i am not pro lynching, it was 11 total Senate Republicans who did not sign a resolution apologizing for past failures to pass anti-lynching law

" it doesn't mention anything about republicans." Republicans control the congress, they set the agenda for the day, decide what comes up from comitee and for a vote...

And in case you don't get it still, majority party = republicans.

[dreamz Veteran]

why do they decide whether or not to give themselves a cola?

for 3 months of work, it's not a bad deal at all (for them).