Stop The Congressional Pay Raise
By Ralph Nader
Look out for another Congressional Pay Grab.
Hear their plea from Washington: with sweaty palms outstretched, our members of Congress are
asking us for another pay raise. Our top politicians say that they just can't get by on $133,600
per year, plus pensions, perks, and benefits.
It just isn't enough, they say. They want more. More, more, more. To be precise: $3,740 more
each year.
And so a congressional pay raise is quickly and quietly advancing through the House of
Representatives and Senate. The powerful Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees, Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA) and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), support the pay raise.
Never mind the six raises that Senators have gotten in the last ten years. Back in January, 1987,
members of Congress were paid $77,400 per year.
Never mind those generous congressional pensions. For example, former Speaker Tom Foley
(D-WA) will receive a pension of approximately $124,000 plus COLA for the rest of his years.
The average congressional pension is about $47,000 per year.
Never mind the free outpatient medical care from Bethesda Naval Hospital, or Walter Reed
Army Medical Center.
Never mind the special $3,000 special tax deduction annually enjoyed only by members of
Congress.
Never mind the foreign travel and junkets. And the free meals, and other benefits, etc.
Never mind that many members of Congress receive pay raises when they come to Congress. A
Roll Call study last year found that "all but six of the 73 newly elected House members will
receive large pay hikes when they take office" compared to their previous employment.
But our members of Congress say it's just not enough. We have heard this before. Too many
times.
Now reflect for a moment on the economic health of our nation. Many Americans haven't
received a real income increase in a generation. Here are the facts:
So here's the big question: if taxpayers didn't get a raise, why do members of Congress deserve
yet another raise? The answer is: they don't.
We want our members of Congress to understand the economic problems of most Americans.
But many members of Congress have developed such high-flying lifestyles that they easily forget
the economic indignities people suffer.
That has important legislative implications. Since members of Congress earn salaries
comparable to prosperous elites, many members of Congress have come to sympathize with
those elites in unhealthy ways. Notice, for example, House Republican efforts to cut capital
gains and estate taxes for the wealthiest few.
This is a big problem. And it is compounded by the scandalous campaign finance system which
gives wealthy campaign contributors access and influence -- and leaves the rest of America out in
the cold.
We want our members of Congress to represent all of us -- not just corporate and wealthy elites.
Members of Congress deserve a pay cut. And the American people know it. In November, 1995,
a poll by Maricopa Research found that 95 percent of Americans think that members of Congress
are overpaid.
You'll have to stop members of Congress from taking advantage of the taxpayers. They don't
seem to have the good sense to stop themselves.
So call your members of Congress. Tell them to restrain their greed. Tell them that you want
them to adopt the dignified self-discipline that befits elective office, and would enhance their
moral authority to govern. The Congressional switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121.
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