Pay Raise
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In the 1500 page omnibus a pay raise for Congress.
Sounds like a retro-active COLA:
Under a law passed in 1989, lawmakers are supposed to receive an automatic cost-of-living raise every year. However, Congress has blocked those raises in recent years to avoid backlash from voters.
However, some lawmakers have argued to reinstate the raise, claiming that if salaries do not reflect the rise in the cost of living, running for Congress could be less enticing. Others have argued that not having increases in pay would lead only wealthy candidates to run for Congress, who have enough money to support themselves financially.
Lawmakers currently receive annual salaries of $174,000, which was established in the 2009 appropriations bill. Those in leadership positions receive higher pay.
If Congress had continued to implement pay raises every year, the annual salary for rank-and-file members would be $243,300 in 2024, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
The latest CR does not implement a specific pay raise for members but rather includes language to reverse language in the September continuing resolution that blocked the 2025 automatic pay raise. The maximum increase for a January 2025 adjustment is 3.8%, which would result in a $6,600 increase, according to the report. That would lead to an annual salary of $180,600.
