Congress gets another pay raise though already earning record salaries

[Carolab]

"You guys are pathetic, pathetic." The Republican-controlled Congress helped itself to a $3,100 pay raise on Friday, then postponed work on bills to curb spending on social programs and cut taxes in favor of a two-week vacation. In the final hours of a tumultuous week in the Capitol, Democrats erupted in fury when House GOP leaders maneuvered toward a politically-charged vote _ and swift rejection _ of one war critic's call for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. "You guys are pathetic, pathetic," Massachusetts Rep. Martin Meehan yelled across a noisy hall at Republicans.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111802165.html

*********

Then look at the difference in increases under Clinton and under Bush.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senate_salaries.htm

1991 (8/15) -- $125,100 per annum

1992 -- $129,500 per annum

1993 -- $133,600 per annum

1994 -- $133,600 per annum

1995 -- $133,600 per annum

1996 -- $133,600 per annum

1997 -- $133,600 per annum

1998 -- $136,700 per annum

1999 -- $136,700 per annum

2000 -- $141,300 per annum

2001 -- $145,100 per annum

2002 -- $150,000 per annum

2003 -- $154,700 per annum

2004 -- $158,100 per annum

2005 -- $162,100 per annum
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Note: Since the early 1980s, Senate leaders -- majority and minority leaders, and the president pro tempore -- have received higher salaries than other members. Currently, leaders earn $180,100 per year.

[Maggie_May]

1. They won't raise

the minimum wage but they sure can give themselves a raise. What hypocrites.

[Digit]

2. It's hard work screwing those who are less fortunate n/t

[fooj]

3. Hmmmmm... and a Republican majority takes care of themselves

before taking care of the troops! Why am I not surprised? Grrrrr...

Peace.

[Child_Of_Isis]

4. 180,100 a year!

For shame. Major welfare queens !

[jbnow]

5. Not saying they deserve it

and it's a shame they take this while not protecting workers and cutting assistance for those who have so little and screwing over the soldiers and disaster victims and on and on and on. How dare they?

In high school I was close friends with the daughter of a congressman who was not independently wealthy. The pay was lower then but houses also cost less. It was really a stretch to pay for a house/household in your district and one near Washington.
(Not to mention pay support for all your ex-wives and children)

He got washed away after the check cashing scandal and became a lobbyist. I'm sure he became wealthier then.

[LiberalEsto]

6. But let's kick 300,000 kids off school lunches

cut back hugely on food stamps,
and throw the Katrina victims our of their motel rooms Dec. 1, just before Xmas.