Congress has done it again. In a 1,547-page spending deal released late Tuesday night, lawmakers quietly slipped in a provision giving themselves a pay raise. The move comes just three days before a potential government shutdown, making it the perfect time to bury controversial items in a mountain of legislative text. The deal removes a measure that has blocked automatic raises for Congress since 2009, effectively allowing the pay increase to take effect. It’s hard not to see this as yet another example of politicians looking out for themselves while the rest of the country deals with inflation, rising costs, and stagnant wages.
Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat and top member of the House Appropriations Committee, confirmed that the so-called “Member Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)” is essentially a pay hike. She noted that this automatic adjustment happens unless Congress actively votes to block it. This convenient mechanism spares lawmakers from having to publicly justify a salary bump. Clever branding helps too—calling it a “COLA” sounds far less controversial than outright admitting to giving themselves a raise. Of course, this isn’t the first time Congress has taken advantage of a lame-duck session to sneak in perks. In last year’s end-of-year spending bill, legislators added a provision reimbursing themselves for living expenses in Washington, including lodging, food, and travel.
For perspective, members of Congress currently earn $174,000 annually, with leadership positions bringing in even higher salaries. The Speaker of the House, for example, makes $223,500, while the Senate president pro tempore earns $193,400. On top of that, the 2022 reimbursement allowance lets individual members claim up to $34,000 for living costs in D.C. If that sounds excessive for public servants, it’s because it is. With the cost-of-living adjustment now back on the table, lawmakers can count on annual pay raises tied to the government’s Employment Cost Index, ensuring their wallets stay well-padded without ever having to cast a controversial vote.
The new adjustment will occur automatically each year unless Congress steps in to block it—a scenario that seems increasingly unlikely given their appetite for behind-the-scenes benefits. While most Americans struggle to keep up with rising expenses, lawmakers are quietly ensuring they’re shielded from the same economic pressures. It’s a bold move in an era where trust in government is already at an all-time low.
This latest maneuver confirms what many Americans have long suspected: when it comes to taking care of themselves, Congress knows no party lines. Democrats and Republicans alike seem perfectly happy to play along when it means padding their paychecks. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is left footing the bill, wondering when—if ever—lawmakers will prioritize the people they’re supposed to represent over their own financial interests.
