Why does Congress give themselves a raise every year but think the federal minimum wage of 7.50

[onecaliberal]

(That is seven dollars and fifty cents per hour) is good enough for us.

Why can’t they live on that? Why don’t we demand they do so?

[Irish_Dem]

1. Being a member of congress is a good grift and they know it.

The rest of us are suckers and losers.

[LakeVermilion]

2. You are preaching to the choir.

Just sayin’.

[kirby]

3. Not true...

My understanding is that Congress last 'gave themselves a raise' in 2009 (14 years ago).

"A 1989 law created automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for Congress, but every spending bill since 2009 has included a provision blocking the raises from going into effect, according to a September report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service."

[Autumn]

15. They don't need a raise, they have insider trading. Someone should ask them which they

would rather have.

[phylny]

4. I was under the impression

that Congress members haven't had a pay increase since January 2009.

[Traildogbob]

8. They have not

Earned a damn raise. They should face the same cuts that President Musk and Vomitswarmy demand on Americans, especially Seniors and Vets.
Many of whom voted for this shit while waving the fucking American flag.
Make us Great Again? When WERE we fascist and great?

[Bettie]

5. The current budget gives a pay raise for the first time in

a while, not sure the exact year.

But, they can legally do insider trading, which makes a lot of them super rich.

[Freethinker65]

6. Because many came from higher paying jobs and didn't expect a huge pay cut.

They get to DC and want to fit in. They expect U.S. taxpayers to pay for what they see as the DC Congressional lifestyle. Yes, maintaining two residences (DC area is expensive), but also the cost of schmoozing, after work unwinding with top shelf alcohol, dining in expensive restaurants, going to campaign fundraisers in tailored suits with stylish accessories always well groomed. That takes money and they consider it a business expense, so just pad their salary? Spending a lifetime in Congress won't necessarily make you wealthy; spending a term or two and then becoming a lobbyist, or just returning to the private workforce with your new political connections and knowledge is where the real money is.

[surfered]

7. Excellent point

[Greybnk48]

9. It's $7.25 in the U.S. 2024. $7.50 would be a raise! n/t

[Yavin4]

10. Because that's what their donors want.

They work for their donors, not for their voters.

[jimfields33]

11. They haven't had a raise since 2009.

Jasmine Crockett says it’s difficult to have two households. Remember they are not all rich.

[Passages]

12. They all have great healthcare packages too.

[onecaliberal]

13. But we are the problem.

[Passages]

14. Yes, we are.

Most of us want universal healthcare.

[Jose Garcia]

16. DISINFORMATION ALERT!

Congress has raised its pay since 2009:

https://www.businessinsider.com/congress-continuing-resolution-salary-increase-pay-raise-2024-12