Congress gives themselves a 39% pay raise

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Congress has sparked outrage by approving a 39% pay raise for its members. This decision, coming at a time when many Americans face financial struggles, has left voters questioning the priorities of their elected officials and the ethics behind such a move.

The raise was buried in a 1,547-page spending bill designed to prevent a government shutdown. This last-minute “continuing resolution” (CR) left little room for debate or public scrutiny. By removing a long-standing provision blocking automatic pay increases, Congress effectively ensured their own pay hike for the first time in over a decade.

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Financially, the raise increases annual salaries from $174,000 to $180,600—an additional $6,600. For perspective, this is more than double the 2023 median U.S. household income of $80,610. Critics argue this disparity underscores Congress’s detachment from everyday Americans, fueling resentment and skepticism about their priorities.

Opposition has been fierce. Representative Jared Golden of Maine condemned the move, stating, “If any of my colleagues can’t afford to live on this income, they should find another line of work.” Many Americans share this sentiment, calling the raise an affront to workers who continue to face stagnant wages and rising costs.

The timing has only deepened the backlash. At a moment when families are cutting back during economic uncertainty, lawmakers’ decision to enrich themselves feels tone-deaf and self-serving. Critics have labeled the raise a “Christmas tree” provision—loaded with perks for legislators while their constituents struggle to make ends meet.

This controversy exposes a glaring lack of transparency in how Congress operates. By hiding such a contentious raise in a dense spending bill, lawmakers sidestepped accountability and left voters feeling betrayed. The question remains: will this spark meaningful reforms, or will Congress continue to prioritize itself over the public it serves?

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Sources:

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/18/congress/congress-pay-raise-increase-00195089

https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20241218248/bill-to-prevent-government-shutdown-includes-raise-for-congress-its-the-first-pay-hike-in-16-years

https://www.allsides.com/news/2024-12-17-2100/politics-congress-gives-itself-raise-last-minute-1547-page-spending-deal