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Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth' (www.businessinsider.com)

submitted 10 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

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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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[-] rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 10 points 10 months ago

The house in DC should be provided to them as part of being in congress.

[-] Quadhammer@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Fuck that make them stay in "affordable housing"

[-] Lyrl@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

Apparently a number of them live in their DC offices and shower at the Congressional gym.

this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2024

517 points (96.6% liked)

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