Washington, D.C. – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today criticized Congress for voting to raise its own pay by $3,300.  The House of Representatives voted 249 to 167 to avoid debate over congressional pay that is schedueled for an automatic 2 percent increase.  Unless changed by the Senate, rank-and-file members of Congress will make $168,500 starting in January 2007.

Congress amended the law in 1989 to allow for automatic “cost of living” increases every year unless there is a specific vote to cancel it.  This marks the sixth straight year that Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) was defeated in his attempt to seek a separate up-or-down vote on the pay hike, which is an obscure part of the annual appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation/Treasury/HUD/Judiciary/District of Columbia.  Last year, Matheson introduced a bipartisan bill (HR 4494) that would eliminate the automatic pay increase.  

“Serving in Congress is the only job in the country where you can set your own salary without regard to performance or fiscal constraints,” CCAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “It is shameful that Rep. Matheson was the only member to bring up the pay hike.  In an era of bitter political division, there is one issue that comes close to achieving bipartisan unity in Congress:  fattening their paychecks at the  expense of taxpayers.”

Recently-released financial disclosure forms show that members of Congress are hardly impoverished.   In addition to their salary, members benefit from perks that include free outpatient care at certain hospitals, frequent-flyer miles from government travel, free meals and vacations from lobbyists and business groups, access to first-class gyms and tennis courts, taxpayer-subsidized life and health insurance; and a special pension program.  The benefits of lawmaking extend beyond time in office; nearly half of former lawmakers who are eligible move on to lucrative careers in the lobbying industry.  

In 2004, the Pennsylvania state legislature approved pay increases of up to 54 percent for elected officials in all three branches of government.  The move sparked a grassroots revolt that toppled 12 incumbents in Republican primaries. 

“Nevermind the $8.4 trillion debt, the record low approval ratings for Congress, members themselves think they are doing a terrific job!  Maybe voters will send a differnent message come November.” 

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.