Politics

Obama Signs Bill to Block Congress from Getting a Raise

By Sunlight Foundation & Participatory Politics Foundation

President Obama today signed H.R.5146, “a bill to provide that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011,” into law.

Under the 1946 Legislative Reorganization Act every member of Congress is automatically granted an annual “cost of living adjustment” (a.k.a. a pay raise) of about $1,500. Senators and Representtaives are currently paid $174,000 per year. 2011 will be the second year in a row that COngress has voted to deny themselves the raise.

The bill passed through the Senate by unanimous consent. The House passed it in April by a vote 402-15. You can see the 15 Representatives who voted no at this link.

Full post as published by Open Congress on May 15, 2010 (boomark / email).