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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[–] Birdie@thelemmy.club 8 points 10 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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[–] TransSynthesist@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 10 months ago

Neither do we.

[–] crusa187@lemmy.ml 6 points 10 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.

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 5 points 10 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!

[–] TheJims@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] pete_the_cat@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)
[–] TheJims@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

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

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[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

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

[–] Copernican@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 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.

[–] badbytes@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Public servant wanting to get rich. Funny times.

[–] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

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

[–] neptune@dmv.social 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It turns out, in capitalism, doing anything besides surviving is expensive.

[–] FanciestPants@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If you've seen the Healthcare system in the US, surviving is possibly the most expensive thing you can do.

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[–] agitatedpotato@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

If it were up to me you'd be much poorer than you are so count your fucking blessings congressman.

[–] blusterydayve26@midwest.social 3 points 10 months ago

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

[–] butt_mountain_69420@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

If lawmakers' salaries had kept pace with inflation, they would be paid over $250,000 today.

You mean kinda like how inflation has fucked everyone else in the country too? Kinda seems like the guys in charge of this shitshow should be the LAST motherfuckers getting a raise.

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