Tags: / bailouts / salary increase / senators

Congress Gets a Raise?!

Congress members begin 2009 with increase in pay.

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by Meghan Harvey

January 7, 2009

At least there is one industry not looking for a bailout in 2009.

Congress.

As of January 1, elected Congress Members will receive a $4,700 yearly salary increase. Senior member and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's increase is roughly $6,100 which brings her salary to $223,500.

These increases, established as automatic yearly cost of living increases, are certainly not out of the ordinary. Congress does reserve the opportunity to block these increases and may vote to do so once they reconvene sessions.

With Congress coming down on the irresponsibility of both Wall Street and the Auto Industry, many people are protesting this particular increase, including Utah Rep. Jim Matheson who has been a vocal opponent of the yearly increase since it began. Every year he donates his entire increase to charity.

Congress has blocked the increase only once before, refusing to accept an increase until the minimum wage was increased as well. Once that was accomplished, the automatic increase was once again accepted.

I personally feel, with our country currently deep in a recession, it only seems right that Congress would block this increase. If not, then they certainly won’t be starting 2009 with much support from their constituents (you and I).

What do you think?

COMMENTS & DISCUSSION (39) COMMENTS

mightymouse Jan. 08, 2009 11:14 AM EST	They should not only block the raise, they should elimiate it all together, and every four years it should be on a ballot and let the people vote wheather they earned a raise.

Gerald Messick
Jan. 08, 2009
11:55 AM EST

An outside agency should determine congressional salaries. They have proven to be to greedy to set their own salaries. The only way this will be accomplished is by a popular mandate, not by congressional action. It should set salaries by merit based on the congressperson's ability to initiate laws which optimize the lifestyle of first the nation and second the district from which the congressperson is elected.

Meghan Harvey Jan. 08, 2009 02:48 PM EST	and @ Gerald. I wholeheartedly agree. Congress works for us & it should be up to us whether they get a raise or not. I have a feeling it Congressional raises was something on a ballot we would see much more productivity coming from them.

Ila Buscaino
Jan. 08, 2009
06:25 PM EST

No Congress member will promote a law to change how Congress members receive raises, so we can't depend on them to make any changes. An email to President Elect Obama might be a good place to start campaigning for a change, beginning this year, how Congress is rewarded with a pay raise. Personally I don't know anyone who is getting a raise this year, most people are happy just to keep their jobs, maybe we should send the same message to Congress. I feel that Congress members who accept this pay raise are totally out of step with what is happening to many Americans today. Contacting your Congressman or woman and expressing your displeasure regarding their raises is another place to make your opinion heard.

Harold Erb Jan. 08, 2009 05:05 PM EST	Where's ours ????

CANDICE Jan. 08, 2009 04:32 PM EST	No No No Why should they get a raise when people are hurting financially. Do they think they are immune? We are all in this together and we all should carry the burden. After all they put us in this position, they are to blame....And now it is only going to get worse.

Steve Stiely
Jan. 08, 2009
04:13 PM EST

I also agree & have said this for years. No public official should vote on their own behalf for a raise. Their is no accountability for their service to us, the public. But as we will see, as much as the word change rang in this new President, he will not be able to follow thru with those thoughts to the degree any of us would like. We will be paying for our lack of Financial responsibilty for years to come. Like our own budgets, the further into debt we go, the less we can expect from our government. This is just another small piece to this mess.

lescroc Jan. 08, 2009 04:04 PM EST	You got to be kidding!! They need to get a pay cut!

Connie Budd Jan. 08, 2009 03:15 PM EST	They do not need a pay raise think of the people that do nothave jobs. They are nothing but greete people in Congress.Talking about fat cats that what they are.

Carolyn Jan. 08, 2009 02:38 PM EST	They have the nerve with so many people out of work. We need to rid of the congress that does not work for the people. America needsd to wake up before its to late we need everyone to start speaking out, most of us cannot do it alone. Things are going to get worse and then maybe America will wake up. How can they get a raise with such a bankrupt county.

john lucich jr
Jan. 08, 2009
02:34 PM EST

every solution begins with the first step....so congress gets a raise...so what...until we face the avalanche of money giving without ACCOUNTABILITY we are solving nothing...the banks get a bailout and then do nothing with that money and answer to no one...come on people...why do you think those idiot republicans have been bounced out of office the last two elections...and a fair warning to the new demo condress...if you dont do the RIGHT MOVES FOR AMERICA AND NOT THE DAM PARTY your success shall suffer the same fate...and by the way im an independent and am sick and tired of one way thinking in washington...lets start doing the correct moves for this country after this nightmare we have had to watch for eight years...YES WE CAN PRESIDENT OBAMA...YES WE CAN...AND WE SHALL...AND BY THE WAY..YOU MUST!!!

john lucich jr
Jan. 08, 2009
02:33 PM EST

Catherine Smith Jan. 08, 2009 12:09 PM EST	Congress has no business preaching and mandating austerity while it continues to award itself salary increases and indulges in pork. They must think their constituents are morons if they continue on this route. They are sadly mistaken. While we tighten our belts they should do likewise or they will be gone. The ballot box is the great equalizer.

Donna Bautz Jan. 08, 2009 06:07 PM EST	Their raise (if any) should be tied to the US economy. Then perhaps they could better identify with us (the common folk) who must live on a budget.

dougy@ruraltel.net
Jan. 08, 2009
06:34 PM EST

True the Congress Et. AL. work for us, but how much of the nation's business up to the popular vote? We routinely have the opportunity to remove incumbents out of office for doing a poor job, but rarely do. They kept their jobs because the majority think they have profited from the incumbents service. In that event do we expect the majority to refuse a pay raise to those that have benefited them? I don't see it happening.

susan Jan. 08, 2009 05:45 PM EST	I feel this "cost of living" increase, if it's not blocked, would be a slap in the face to all americans. I really hope that Congress refuses this increase at this time, when our country is in a deep economic crisis...deep down I truly believe Congress will do the right thing.

William Sowa Jan. 08, 2009 05:29 PM EST	How come Congress a raise 470 times more than my increase in Social Security? That's not a cost of living adjustment in any sense. Its just business as usual with the representatives enriching them selves at our expense.

Judy
Jan. 08, 2009
05:20 PM EST

I agree we should not be giving raises now with are Economy the way it is we are cutting Health care and school funds for our kids to what give it to the rich thay should be giving that raise to the outher systems that are being cut how much money do thay need so thay can take there family's on Vacation we can't go on Vacation we have to work so we can make put food on the table and hopefully we can make our house payment so we can stay togetter as a family .

Shirley Kunkel Jan. 08, 2009 05:08 PM EST	They don't need a raise, let them work for the people and only get a raise when the people feel they have done a good job.

Widowed1
Jan. 08, 2009
05:01 PM EST

I totally agree with you all. My raises are dependant on a performance review, and so should theirs be. Some of the congress persons don't even show up to vote! Why would they deserve a raise? May be we should be firing the ones that do nothing, and not wait for a general election. Form a "congretional watchdog" group to catch the slackers and replace them with people that want to work for the good of the country, not just collect an outrageous wage.

matt Jan. 08, 2009 02:20 PM EST	If the country was run like a public business any increase after a year like 2008 would be considered irresponsible. The shareholders of this country should be treated with the same respect.

J.C.HALL Jan. 08, 2009 06:41 PM EST	IF YOU WORK FOR THE GOVERMENT YOU SHOULD DO IT TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY JUST LIKE THE ARMED FORCES. GET PAYED YES GET RICH NO! WE MUST GET RID OF GREED IN ARE GOVERMENT! JC

Evalee Jones Jan. 08, 2009 11:49 PM EST	I think they are already well paid-I got a letter saying We didn't qualify for the 08 stimulus because we didn't earn $3,ooo. I know someone who didn't and received the checks. We are 88 and 90 years old-Are we still expected to work? Thanks for letting me speak. Evalee Jones

Patricia Walker Jan. 08, 2009 10:07 PM EST	Every one of you in Congress should be kicked out of office. People are loosing their homes, schools cannot make copies of test because of no money so our kids are being discriminated against, and you people in Washington are spending millions on Obama's inauguration. This is a disgrace to you and the country.

Chuck Jan. 08, 2009 08:22 PM EST	"change" is good for the presidency, we now have a totally inexperienced president, maybe "change" would be good for the senate also, next election vote out all incumbents, it couldn't get any worse.

PAT KETCHIE
Jan. 08, 2009
07:31 PM EST

WHERE IS THE "COMMON SENSE" OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? We have let politicians BUY their way into a "position" that they really do NOT deserve. Once they reach this position , they think that they have become a GOD and assume they are untouchable. It appears that is so. AMERICA--WAKE UP!!!
The average American is working diligently to make ends meet, to keep their homes, their vehicles, their home and health insurance (by the way- those rates have
become almost impossible for the average person to afford), food on their table and gasoline for their automobile.
WE, THE AMERICAN VOTERS must do something in the very near future to END this "travesty" call "The Government of the People"! HELP!!

Terry Pratt
Jan. 09, 2009
02:37 AM EST

How laughable is it that Congress insisted that the automakers come up with a plan to save themselves to guarantee the bailout money but do not insist on a detailed plan from Congress itself when it comes to legislation to save this economy? Do YOU get paid if you defray the responsibilities of YOUR job? 75 percent of the people wanted a vote on drilling for oil and the response was to take a 5 week sabbatical from Washington. What happens to YOU when you take 5 weeks off of work for any reason? As far as the people voting on their pay raise? Change, yes we can. We all heard it. I don't know the answer to this but what percentage of the incumbant House representatives were returned in 2008 elections, the body that achieved a NINE PERCENT approval rating? I'll bet it was more than 9 percent. The members of Congress should not determine their own salary, but I don't want the dopes voting to determine it either. Maybe we should unionize them and let the union bosses, headquartered in Chicago, determine it.

Meghan Harvey
Jan. 09, 2009
09:52 PM EST

To give full kudos and credit where credit is due, Rep. Joe Donnelly D-Indiana, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, Sen. Evan Bayh,Reps. Dan Burton, R-Indianapolis, and Brad Ellsworth, D-Evansville (among some possible others), have all decided that they will be either donating their raises to charity or simply sending it back to the Treasury department if the raise does not get voted down. They are all members of COngress who have shown that they indeed are there for the right reasons and should be given credit for turning their backs on this ridiculous increase.

RonH Jan. 19, 2009 12:46 AM EST	Hmmm I get a $74.00 monthly raise in my Social Security check and Pelosi gets $508.00? I'm a retired car salesman and even MY ratings are higher than hers... Congress is going to vote to stop their own raise? Right...

Debbie Jan. 27, 2009 06:15 PM EST	Unbelievable! Who wouldn't vote a raise for themselves? When will the government in this country wake up? So many people are out of work and thousands by the day countinue to be "let go"! Between Govt.increases/CEO bailouts, where are the "handouts" for the working people?!?!?!!?

Eric Hutson
Apr. 15, 2009
10:45 AM EDT

I feel that the govenment as a whole is out of control. Other than the elections these politicians recieve increased whether or not they have performed or not performed. The rest of the country is struggling to keep their heads above water and these selfish people are giving themselves raise with the taxpayers money. Their annual increases should be elvauated by the voting public. If you ask me I think everyone in govenment should be docked pay for running this country into the ground.

Aleigh Pearson
May. 28, 2009
10:30 AM EDT

This is for all Americans to see. I cannot beleive that Congress is getting a pay raise. Wake America this is the biggest joke going and a shove it your face to the American people. They have not done anything to merit a pay raise in my opinion. They were either looking the other way when Wall St. was doing underhanded dealings. No one was checking on anything in Congress apparently and they get a pay raise. The people on Social Security-SSI /SSDI and veterans who are service connected only get ($250) dollars on June 1 only. And between the Congress and White House everyone else gets ( Billions of Dollars ) in "Bail out Money", so go figure. Hello America anyone see the difference here. Congress is not looking out for the people and their money and the President just "Bails" out all the greedy people on Wall St., the Ceo's in the Auto Industry, AIG, and all those other Corparations and the tax payer either a Veteran or on Social Security only gets a measily $250 dollars on June 1. There should outrage across the country. Change yes we got change all right: Chump Change.

larry Jun. 12, 2009 10:30 AM EDT	they are working very hard to take all our money already . i don't think we need to pay them for that .. do you ? as far as nancy pelosi , she needs to be ran off . that would put back into the economy over 200,000 a year ..

Jeff Morgan Jun. 15, 2009 10:45 AM EDT	I agree with these folks a raise should be left up to the voters. Also congress should only be allowed to run for two terms and not until they decide to retire. Then mabey we would see some change in how politices is carried out

Scott
Jun. 26, 2009
11:15 AM EDT

It's a classic case of government protecting their OWN backs whilst cutting the throats of the people whom they are supposed to be serving.. I have this question, if someone is earning 225,000 USD/year that is around 11,000 USD/month.. which incidentally is less than 10,000 USD LESS than I earn in a FULL YEAR.. how nervy is that? did the 2009 raises get blocked by OBAMA? or did he take over the banks and car dealers, and use them as a smokescreen so that the general public wouldn't learn about this? and why is it automatic? if they're protected with an automatic wage increase why isn't the entire working class of Americans? I say at 11,000/mo doesn't NEED a cost of living increase, make them live within their means like I have too.. I'd like to own a house, have health insurance, a brand new car, have nice new clothes, be able to pay all my bills every month, be able to afford at least a FEW luxuries.. you know TV, Radio, clean clothes, AND still be able to east 3 meakls a day.. at my wagtes (10.00/hr last job I worked) I couldn't afford all that.. so I had to forgo my TV, and cut myself to 1 or 32 meals/day, I had to get rid of my car because of the price of gasoline.. Get REAL Mr President, look at all the damage you are doing to the lower working class. I agree in that the PEOPLE shouold ALWAYS vote any/all pay raises, and shouold be able to vote pay reductions when our high salaried congress fails to remember who put them into office.. But then the President would VETO the measure and the congress will STILL get their raise whilst the rest of us sit in squallor

rolando v. padama Jul. 06, 2009 11:30 AM EDT	Congress should not get a pay increase.They have a big salary and doing less /little accomp[lishment. And they receive hidden allowances from lobbyists and those business earmark they want to pass.And they have countless source of income due to their influence and position.If Iam a congressman I will donate my salary to the working class americans

Robert Jack
Jul. 10, 2009
11:00 AM EDT

Yes I agree with a lot of these people! E-mailed one of my representitives, and the letter he sent me back was blaming the people for the debt, he did not come right out and say it, but it was close! Instead of bailing out the banks, Auto Industries, and Ceos, what a lot of has been saying, why did they not give the Money to us, and let us bail the Economy out of debt, paying our mortgages off auto loans credit card companies, and other debt off, and with the money we have left, buy a new automobile or add on to our property or invest to help the economy, but they never listen! They want raises, and want to increase taxes, or add new ones, or let our Insurance Companies raise their rates! I am another one who thinks that they should only be allowed to serve two terms like the President! And by the way, where are all the promises that the President made, out the door, or did Congress and Senate veto all of his promises, or was these all lies to get the power and big Money! We the people should vote on these raises I agree on everything that all of the people say in these comments!

Matt Aug. 20, 2009 10:15 AM EDT	Answer: Term Limits

Darlene Inks Jul. 20, 2010 05:00 PM EDT	What the hell is wrong with these people? It is no wonder that people of this country are fed up and hopefully will vote everyone of the elitist fulls out of office.

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