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Congress Poised for 40% Pay Raise to $243,000 in 1,547-Page Funding Bill; Durbin Defends Increase

Dec 18, 2024, 07:11 PM

Members of the U.S. Congress are set to receive their first pay raise since 2009 under a 1,547-page spending bill, increasing their annual salaries by 40% from $174,000 to $243,000. The proposed $69,300 raise is included in a Continuing Resolution aimed at preventing a government shutdown before December 20. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Majority Whip, defended the pay increase when questioned by CNN reporter Manu Raju, acknowledging it as "good news" and suggesting lawmakers deserve the adjustment after more than a decade without a cost-of-living increase. Durbin also sparred with Raju over media salaries, remarking, "Half of your listeners are not there anymore and you're still getting the same paycheck." The bill also includes a provision allowing members of Congress to opt out of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and use the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program instead. The inclusion of these provisions has sparked criticism amid public concern over Congress's low approval ratings, reported to be as low as 13%. Critics, including some public figures, argue that lawmakers should not receive a substantial raise while many Americans are struggling with economic challenges. Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) has been reported as advocating for the pay raise, further fueling debate over the issue.