Congressional Salaries Frozen for 15 Years While Workload Increases, Raising Concerns About Effects on Talent Pool
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Members of Congress make $174,000 per year, more than 80% of households, but the job is demanding and chaotic. Some argue a pay raise is needed to attract high-quality candidates.
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Salaries haven't increased in 15 years and members have chosen to block cost-of-living adjustments. Only leaders make more.
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The stagnant pay means it's mostly already wealthy people willing and able to serve. This raises corruption concerns.
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Democrats tend to support raises more than Republicans. But some Democrats opposed raises in the past over political optics.
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If salaries accounted for inflation, members would make over $250k. An increase to $274k would be more in line with private sector CEOs and could realign incentives.