this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2024
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Rank-and-file members of both the House and Senate are paid $174,000 a year.

That probably seems like a decent amount of money, and it is: The median household income in 2022 was $74,580, according to the US Census.

But consider that members of Congress generally have to maintain two residences — one in Washington, DC, and one in their home state — and that they haven't gotten a raise since 2009.

Inflation, meanwhile, has eaten away at the value of that salary over time: If lawmakers' salaries had kept pace with inflation, they would be paid over $250,000 today.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican who served as the interim speaker of the House following Kevin McCarthy's ouster, told The Dispatch that congressional pay needed to be raised in order to attract "credible people to run for office."

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[–] badbytes@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Then go work for private sector.

[–] Rakonat@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

He wants to be a welfare queen.

[–] Birdie@thelemmy.club 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Oh the poor old things. Imagine not getting a raise since 2009!! All the minimum wage workers can imagine just that, because minimum wage hasn't been raised since 2009, either. And a full time minimum wage job is going to provide a helluva less income than $174K.

I'm so tired of these privileged blowhards griping and complaining about how hard they have it while actively refusing to actually improve the lives of their constituents.

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[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Isn't Washington D.C. also one of the more expensive cities to live in?

So, yeah, residence at home, residence in D.C. Tough to swing on 174K.

What they should do is make everyone remote. Secure video connections from their homes.

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

This meeting of the 119th Congress is brought to you by SurfShark.

[–] LennethAegis@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago

It's too dangerous to use outside software. They would need to hire a team to develop an in-house video solution... and it crashed again.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Looking forward to people zoom bombing congress.

[–] Copernican@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

That salary means something different to a congressman from the Bay area or NYC, vs. a congressman from Boise or Iowa. Im down for pay raises generally.

[–] TheJims@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Never trust anyone over the age of five wearing a bow tie.

[–] pete_the_cat@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)
[–] TheJims@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

True but this isn’t Gallifrey and the doctor isn’t a shit bag republican.

[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 9 months ago

you have to also wear a fez... and also care about humanity.

[–] crusa187@lemmy.ml 6 points 9 months ago

They can literally print money freely via insider trading, which is why many of them are millionaires. “Don’t have wealth”??? k.

This crying for more taxpayer dollar handouts through one of their pet media rags garners no sympathy from me. Especially when many of them view their role as obstructionists who should prevent government from functioning entirely. It’s pathetic, they should fuck off to the geriatric ward if they don’t think the job pays enough.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Can't afford two houses on that salary. Boo hoo!

[–] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 5 points 9 months ago

The man who voted AGAINST raising YOUR wage is now complaining HIS wage ISN'T enough!

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 5 points 9 months ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


But consider that members of Congress generally have to maintain two residences — one in Washington, DC, and one in their home state — and that they haven't gotten a raise since 2009.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican who served as the interim speaker of the House following Kevin McCarthy's ouster, told The Dispatch that congressional pay needed to be raised in order to attract "credible people to run for office."

"And then, you know, the very wealthy few end up dominating the news because of their personal stock trades when most of us don't have wealth."

McHenry, a more mild-mannered House Republican than most, recently announced he would retire from Congress at the end of his term.

As of now, many members of Congress are, in fact, independently wealthy, and many generate significant income from stock trading.

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has long pushed for a pay raise for members of Congress, arguing that it's a safeguard against corruption and makes lawmakers less likely to seek income through stock trading.


The original article contains 340 words, the summary contains 176 words. Saved 48%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

[–] badbytes@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Public servant wanting to get rich. Funny times.

[–] blusterydayve26@midwest.social 3 points 9 months ago

What if we just pay them +10% on the existing bribe structure and convert to federally funded elections?

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