congressional pay and perks: salaries, pension and retirement, franking, travel, and other benefits...

GOVERNMENT SERIES

CongressionalPay andPerksSalaries, Pensions and Retirement,Franking, Travel, and Other Benefitsfor U.S. Senators and Representatives

GOVERNMENT SERIES

Congressional Pay and PerksSalaries, Pensions and Retirement, Franking, Travel, and Other Benefits for U.S. Senators and RepresentativesCompiled by TheCapitol.NetAuthors: Ida A. Brudnick, R. Eric Petersen, Patrick J. Purcell, Mildred Amer, Matthew Eric Glassman, Jennifer E. Manning, Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider

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Congressional Pay and Perks, softbound:ISBN: 158733-165-9ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-165-7

∞

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

Chapter 1:“Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990–2010,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress 97-615, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter 2:“Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress 97-1011H, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 3:“Congressional Salaries and Allowances,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress RL30064H, July 14, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Chapter 4:“Legislative Branch Staffing, 1954–2007,” by R. Eric Petersen, CRS Report for Congress R40056, October 15, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Chapter 5:“Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress,” by Patrick Purcell, CRS Report for Congress RL30631H, October 28, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Chapter 6:“Brief Facts About Congressional Pensions,” by Patrick J. Purcell, CRS Report for Congress 94-740, January 13, 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Chapter 7:“Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Members of the House of Representatives,” by Mildred Amer, CRS Report for Congress 98-962H, August 19, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Chapter 8:“Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RS20099H, August 28, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Chapter 9:“Franking Privilege: An Analysis of Member Mass Mailings in the House, 1997–2007,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34458, April 16, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Chapter 10:“Congressional Official Mail Costs,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34188H, March 26, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

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Summary Table of Contents

Chapter 11:“Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34274, September 8, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Chapter 12:“Members of Congress Who Die in Office: Historic and Current Practices,” by R. Eric Petersen and Jennifer E. Manning, CRS Report for Congress RL34347H, August 26, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Chapter 13:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 1, “Being a Member of Congress,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Chapter 14:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 5, “Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Chapter 15:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 6, “Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Chapter 16:Resources from TheCapitol.Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Web Pages

Capitol Learning Audio CoursesTM

Live Training

Chapter 17:Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Resources

Internet Resources

Books

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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

Chapter 1:“Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990–2010,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress 97-615, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction

Source of Member Pay Appropriations

Application of the 27th Amendment to the Annual Adjust

Most Recent Developments

January 2011 Member Pay Projected Adjustment

January 2010 Member Pay Adjustment Denied

Attempts to Eliminate Automatic Annual Adjustment Procedure in the 111th Congress

Prior Actions and Votes by Year

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

1990

Chapter 2:“Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress 97-1011H, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . 29

Background

January 2010 Member Pay Pay Projected Adjustment

January 2010 Member Pay Adjustment Denied

January 2009 Member Pay Adjustment of 2.8%

Table of Contents

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Figure 1. Salary for Members of Congress: Current and Constant Dollars, 1992–2009

Table 1. Salary Adjustments for Members of Congress Since 1789

Table 2. Member Pay Projected vs. Actual Adjustments Since 1992

Table 3. Legislative Vehicles Used for Previous Pay Prohibitions and Enacted Dates

Chapter 3:“Congressional Salaries and Allowances,” by Ida A. Brudnick, CRS Report for Congress RL30064H, July 14, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Compensation of Members of Congress and Related Benefits

Compensation

Outside Earned Income and Honoraria Limits

Tax Deductions

Health and Life Insurance Provisions

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Provisions

Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances for U.S. Representatives

House Allowance System

Personnel Allowance Component of the MRA

Official Office Expenses Allowance Component of the MRA

Official Mail Allowance (Franking Privilege) Component of the MRA

Other Allowances

Government Publications

Travel Allowance for Organizational Caucuses or Conferences

Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances for U.S. Senators

Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account

Official Office Expense Allowance

Personnel Allowances: Administrative and Clerical Assistance and Legislative Assistance

Official Mail Allowance

Other Allowances

Senate Interns

Office Space in States

Mobile Office Space for Senators

Furniture and Furnishings in Washington, DC

Furniture and Furnishings in State Offices

Office Equipment in Washington, DC, and State Offices

Government Publications

Compensation of Other Congressional Officers and Officials

House of Representatives

Senate

Compensation of Standing Committee Employees

House of Representatives

Senate

Table 1. Mileage Multiplier for MRA

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Chapter 4:“Legislative Branch Staffing, 1954–2007,” by R. Eric Petersen, CRS Report for Congress R40056, October 15, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Counting Positions: Full Time Equivalent and Payroll Positions

FTE Positions

Payroll Positions

Legislative Branch Staffing Trends, 1954–2007

Potential Staffing Issues for Congress

Figure 1. Legislative Branch Staffing, 1954–2007

Figure 2. Distribution of Legislative Branch Staff, 1955–2005

Figure 3. House and Senate Staffing, 1975–2007

Figure 4. Distribution of Legislative Branch Staff, 1975–2005

Figure 5. Selected Legislative Agency Staffing, 1954–2007

Table 1. Change in Legislative Branch Staffing, 1955–2005

Table 2. Legislative Branch Employment, 2001–2007






Chapter 5:“Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress,” by Patrick Purcell, CRS Report for Congress RL30631H, October 28, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Background on Congressional Pensions

Retirement Plans Available to Members of Congress

Members First Elected Before 1984

Members First Elected Since 1984

Age and Length-of-Service Requirements

Retirement Under CSRS

Retirement Under FERS

Coordination of FERS Benefits with Social Security

Social Security Retirement Benefits

Social Security Earnings Limit

The Thrift Savings Plan: An Integral Component of FERS

Required Contributions To Retirement Programs

Total Payroll Deductions

Pension Plan Benefit Formulas

Pension Benefits Under CSRS

Pension Benefits Under FERS

Social Security Benefits

Pensions for Members with Service Under Both CSRS and FERS

Retirement Benefits under the CSRS Offset Plan

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Replacement Rates

Cost-of-Living Adjustments

The Thrift Savings Plan

Forfeiture of Annuity

Table 1. Replacement Rates for Members Retiring with an Immediate Annuity

Chapter 6:“Brief Facts About Congressional Pensions,” by Patrick J. Purcell, CRS Report for Congress 94-740, January 13, 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Summary

Chapter 7:“Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Members of the House of Representatives,” by Mildred Amer, CRS Report for Congress 98-962H, August 19, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Privileges and Courtesies

(1) Floor Privileges

(2) Purchase of Washington, DC, Office Furnishings

(3) Purchase of District Office Furnishings and Equipment

(4) Purchase of Personal Digital Assistants and Cellular Phones

(5) Shipment of Office Active Files

(6) Storage/Shipment of Inactive Office Files

(7) Archival Disposition of Office Files

(8) Franking Privilege

(9) Other Mailing Service

(10) Use of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)

(11) Use of the Library of Congress

(12) Priority in Committee Testimony

(13) Use of the House Exercise Facilities

(14) Parking in the House Side of the Capitol

(15) Other Traditional Benefits and Courtesies Extended to Former Members of the House

Chapter 8:“Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RS20099H, August 28, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Introduction

Allowances Made Available in 1959



Changes in Allowances, 1974–Present

Allowances Currently Available to Former Speakers

Restrictions on Use of Allowances by Former Speakers

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Chapter 9:“Franking Privilege: An Analysis of Member Mass Mailings in the House, 1997–2007,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34458, April 16, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Introduction

Methodology

Data Collection

Summary Statistics

Aggregate House Member Mass Mailings, 1997–2007

Quarterly Variation in Member Mass Mail Rates

Election vs. Non-Election Year

Discussion

Figure 1. Congressional Mail Postage Costs, CY2000–CY2007

Figure 2. Pieces of Mass Mail Sent, by Quarter, 1997 to 2007

Table 1. Total Member Mass Mail Pieces Sent and Total Costs, House, CY1997–CY2007

Table 2. Total Pieces of Member Mass Mail Sent, House, by Fiscal Year and Calendar Year, 1998 to 2007

Chapter 10:“Congressional Official Mail Costs,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34188H, March 26, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Introduction

Official Mail Costs, FY2005 to FY2007

Official Mail Costs

Mass Mailing Costs

Election Year vs. Non-election Year

Official Mail Costs, FY1954–FY2007

Increased Costs, FY1954–FY1988

Costs Reduced, FY1988–FY2007

Monthly Variation, FY2000 to FY2007

Figure 1. Monthly Official Mail Costs, October 2004 to December 2007

Figure 2. Franked Mail Costs (FY1954–FY1977) and Official Congressional Mail Costs (FY1978–FY2007)

Figure 3. Official Mail Costs, by Chamber, FY1978–FY2007

Figure 4. Monthly Official Mail Costs, House, FY2000–FY2007

Figure 5. Monthly Official Mail Costs, Senate, FY2000–FY2007

Figure 6. Monthly Official Mail Costs, Senate (re-scaled), FY2000 to FY2007

Table 1. Official Mail Costs, by Fiscal Year and Calendar Year, 2005 to 2007

Table 2. Official Mail Costs, by Chamber, FY1978 to FY2007

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Chapter 11:“Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change,” by Matthew Eric Glassman, CRS Report for Congress RL34274, September 8, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Introduction

History of the Congressional Franking Privilege

Origins of the Franking Privilege

Early Franking Law, 1789–1873

Significant Restrictions, 1873–1895

Franking Restored, 1895–1973

Franking Reform, 1973–1977

Contemporary Reforms, 1986–Present

Mass Communications

Contemporary Activities of the Franking Commission

Other Recipients of the Franking Privilege

Vice President

Congressional Officers

Former Members of Congress

Members-elect

Relatives of Members of Congress

Former Presidents and Widows of Presidents

Executive Branch Officials

Postmasters

Soldiers

Criticism of the Franking Privilege

Cost of Franking

Illegal Abuse of Franking Privileges

Incumbency Advantage

Technological Advance

Defense of the Franking Privilege

Linking Citizens and Representatives

Facilitating the Spread of Political News

Institutional Defense of Congress

Dimensions of the Franking Privilege

Who Has the Franking Privilege?

When Can the Frank Be Used?

What Materials Can Members Send Under the Frank?

How Much Franked Mail Can Members Send?

Where Can Such Materials Be Sent?

Options for Future Franking Change

Abolish the Franking Privilege

Prohibit Mass Mailings

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Prohibit Unsolicited Mailings

Extend the Pre-election Ban on Mass Mailings

Give Franking Privileges to Electoral Challengers

Reduce the Allowance Given to Members for Franked Mail

Increase Cost Disclosure Requirements

Concluding Observations

Chapter 12:“Members of Congress Who Die in Office: Historic and Current Practices,” by R. Eric Petersen and Jennifer E. Manning, CRS Report for Congress RL34347H, August 26, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Background and Context

Floor Announcement or Acknowledgment of a Member’s Death

House Practice

Representatives-Elect

Senate Practice

Resolutions of Condolence

House Practice

Senate Practice

Funeral and Disposition of Remains

House Practice

Senate Practice

Deceased Member’s Office, Staff, and Survivor Benefits

House Practice

Senate Practice

Publication of Memorials

House Practice

Senate Practice

Table 1. Members of the House Who Died in Office, and Resolutions of Condolence Adopted in the House and Senate, 1973–2008

Table 2. Senators Who Died in Office, and Resolutions of Condolence Adopted in the Senate and House, 1978–2009

Chapter 13:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 1, “Being a Member of Congress,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Chapter 14:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 5, “Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

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Chapter 15:Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 6, “Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex,” by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Chapter 16:Resources from TheCapitol.Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Web Pages

Capitol Learning Audio CoursesTM

Live Training

Chapter 17:Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Resources

Internet Resources

Books

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IntroductionCongressional Pay and Perks

Salaries, Pension and Retirement, Franking, Travel, and Other Benefits for U.S. Senators and Representatives

Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969,Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815,were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of$3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raiseMember pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods—includingan automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process—are now also available.

The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current formula for automatic annual adjustments, which is based on changes in private sector wages and salaries as measured by the Employment CostIndex. The adjustment goes into effect automatically unless denied statutorily by Congress, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule employees.

Allowances are available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official andrepresentational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services.

Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 20 years, critics continue to raise concerns that the franking privilege is both financially wasteful and gives unfairadvantages to incumbents in congressional elections. In particular, mass mailings have come underincreased scrutiny as critics argue that the vast majority of franked mail is unsolicited and, in effect,publicly funded campaign literature.

Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the FederalEmployees’ Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were inCongress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change theircoverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements:

• CSRS and Social Security;

• The “CSRS Offset” plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRScontributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits;

• FERS and Social Security; or

• Social Security alone.

Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination ofemployee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% ofthe Social Security taxable wage base ($102,000 in 2008 and $106,800 in 2009). Members enrolled inFERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In 2008, Memberscovered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $102,000 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount,into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

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Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law,the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

After Members of the House leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some arederived from House Rules, but many are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom.Former Representatives who become lobbyists have limited privileges.

Links to much more information about Congressional pay and perquisites is available on our web pageat: <www.CongressPay.com>

CRS Report for CongressPrepared for Members and Committees of Congress

Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2010

Ida A. Brudnick Analyst on the Congress

January 12, 2010

Congressional Research Service

7-5700 www.crs.gov

97-615

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Chapter 1: Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990–2010

Goverment Series: Congressional Pay and Perks

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Summary The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress “ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.” Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Stand-alone legislation, the most frequently used method, was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years.

The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975-1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index. Under this revised process, annual adjustments were accepted 13 times (scheduled for January 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009) and denied seven times (scheduled for January 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, and 2010).

Under a provision included in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, Members did not receive a pay adjustment in 2010. Members were originally scheduled to receive a pay adjustment in January 2010 of 2.1%. The Senate has also considered and passed legislation that would eliminate the automatic pay adjustments for Members. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House.

In January 2009, Members received a 2.8% pay adjustment under the formula established by the Ethics Reform Act, increasing their salary to $174,000. Members received a 2.5% adjustment in pay in January 2008, resulting in a salary of $169,300. According to the formula, Members originally were scheduled to receive a 2.7% annual adjustment, increasing their salary to $169,700. This figure was automatically revised downward to 2.5% to match the increase in basepay given employees under the General Schedule. By law, Members may not receive an increase greater than the increase in the base pay of GS employees.

Members previously received a pay adjustment in January 2006, when they received a 1.9% annual adjustment based on the formula under the annual adjustment procedure, increasing their salary to $165,200 per annum. According to the formula, Members originally were scheduled to receive a 2.0% annual adjustment in January 2007, increasing their salary to $168,500. This figure was automatically revised downward to 1.7% to match GS base pay. Members voted to delay and then prohibit a pay adjustment for 2007. Pay in 2007 remained $165,200.

Stand-alone legislation has been introduced to prevent the scheduled 2011 pay adjustment

A third method for adjusting Member pay is congressional action pursuant to recommendations from the President, based on the recommendations of the Citizens’ Commission on Public Service and Compensation established in the 1989 Ethics Reform Act. This commission was preceded by the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries. Although the Citizens’ Commission should have convened in 1993, it did not and has not met since then. There is no current plan to use the procedure.

Chapter 1: Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990–2010




Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................1

Source of Member Pay Appropriations ..................................................................................1Application of the 27th Amendment to the Annual Adjustments .............................................1

Most Recent Developments.........................................................................................................2January 2011 Member Pay Projected Adjustment ..................................................................2January 2010 Member Pay Adjustment Denied......................................................................2Attempts to Eliminate Automatic Annual Adjustment Procedure in the 111th Congress...........3

Prior Actions and Votes by Year ..................................................................................................32009 .....................................................................................................................................42008 .....................................................................................................................................42007 .....................................................................................................................................62006 .....................................................................................................................................82005 .....................................................................................................................................92004 ................................................................................................................................... 102003 ................................................................................................................................... 112002 ................................................................................................................................... 132001 ................................................................................................................................... 142000 ................................................................................................................................... 151999 ................................................................................................................................... 161998 ................................................................................................................................... 181997 ................................................................................................................................... 191996 ................................................................................................................................... 201995 ................................................................................................................................... 211994 ................................................................................................................................... 221993 ................................................................................................................................... 231992 ................................................................................................................................... 231991 ................................................................................................................................... 231990 ................................................................................................................................... 24

Contacts Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 25

Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... 25




Congressional Research Service 1

Introduction The automatic annual adjustment for Members of Congress is determined by a formula using a component of the Employment Cost Index, which measures rate of change in private sector pay.1

The adjustment automatically takes effect unless (1) Congress statutorily prohibits the adjustment; (2) Congress statutorily revises the adjustment; or (3) the annual base pay adjustment of General Schedule (GS) federal employees is established at a rate less than the scheduled increase for Members, in which case Members are paid the lower rate.2 Members may not receive an annual pay adjustment greater than 5%.

This adjustment formula was established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989.3 Votes on the annual adjustments since 1990 are contained in this report.

Source of Member Pay Appropriations Although discussion of the member pay adjustment frequently occurs during consideration of the annual appropriations bill funding the U.S. Treasury—currently the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill—this bill does not contains funds for the annual pay adjustment for Members. This bill only contains funds for the salaries of those employees on the payrolls of the agencies funded in the bill. Member salaries are funded in a permanent appropriations account of the legislative branch in the Federal Budget.4

Use of this appropriations bill as a vehicle to prohibit the annual pay adjustments for Members developed by custom. A prohibition on Member pay could be offered to any bill, or be introduced as a separate bill.

Application of the 27th Amendment to the Annual Adjustments The 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which was proposed on September 25, 1789 and ratified May 7, 1992, states: “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”5

Under the process established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, Member pay is automatically adjusted pursuant to a formula. Following ratification of the Amendment, this procedure was challenged in federal court. The reviewing court held that the 27th Amendment does not apply to the automatic annual adjustments,6 since Congress is considered to already have voted on future adjustments when the automatic mechanism was established. Therefore, according to the court,

1 This report focuses on each of the actions taken by Congress since the implementation of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Payable Rates Since 1789 and Recent Adjustments, by Ida A. Brudnick, contains specific dollar amounts and statutory authority for each pay adjustment since 1789. Both reports examine the overall adjustment process. 2 P.L. 103-356, 108 Stat. 3410, October 13, 1994. 3 §704(a)(2)(B) of P.L. 101-194, 103 Stat. 1769, November 30, 1989. 4 P.L. 97-51; 95 Stat. 966; September 11, 1981. 5 U.S. Constitution, amend. 27. 6 See Boehner v. Anderson, 809 F.Supp. 138 (D.D.C. 1992) and 30 F.3d 156 (D.C.Cir. 1994).

Chapter 4: Legislative Branch Staffing, 1954–2007


Chapter 8: Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance


Chapter 9: Franking Privilege: An Analysis of Member Mass Mailings in the House, 1997–2007


Chapter 10: Congressional Official Mail Costs


Chapter 13: Congressional Deskbook: Being a Member of Congress


B e in g a Me mbe r o f Co ng re s s

17

1

§ 1.50

ing problems at home tend to result from overcommitment, insufficient travel time betweenevent locations, and weather conditions affecting travel.

Mindful of the problems of alienation and exhaustion caused by congressional schedules,leaders and members have discussed a variety of scheduling options since the 1990s, but noneof the alternatives has taken hold. Both chambers looked at options such as three weeks in

§ 1.55

Floor Discussion of Schedule Changes

The negotiation of schedules is a time-consuming but important activity on Capitol Hill.Everyone desires predictability, but it is difficult for congressional leaders to deliver it.

The excerpt below is representative of congressional concerns over unpredictability inscheduling. The excerpt was taken from a House floor colloquy between House MajorityLeader Dick Armey, R-TX, and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member DavidObey, D-WI, on Thursday, June 15, 2000. The House was considering amendments to thefiscal year 2001 Interior appropriations bill. The Republican leadership expressed its hope on Wednesday, June 14, to complete all floor votes by 6:00 p.m. Thursday. As Thursdayafternoon wore on, representatives became anxious about making evening airline flights to their home districts. Finally, Obey raised the scheduling question with Armey in formaldebate, and ultimately offered a preferential motion for the Committee of the Whole to rise.(See § 8.120, Committee of the Whole: Amendment Process.)

The motion was defeated on a recorded vote, 183 to 218. The Obey-Armey colloquy beganabout 5:20 p.m. The colloquy and vote on the motion consumed about thirty minutes. TheHouse worked late and finally adjourned for the week on Friday morning, June 16 at 1:25 a.m.

Mr. Obey: . . . I would simply like to ask if the leadership intends to keep the commitmentwhich was announced to the House (to take no votes after 6:00 p.m. today) or whether therumors are true that we hear that they now intend to be in until 9:00.

Mr. Armey: . . . We worked out an agreement last night that we thought would give us goodprogress. We had high hopes of continuing this work and completing it by 6:00 today. But as we can see, we are approaching that hour; and we are not near completion.

Mr. Obey: . . . Let me simply say that the problem, as has been brought to my attention by a number of members, is that the schedule published by the leadership indicates legislativebusiness, no votes after 6:00 p.m. . . . But I regret that the leadership has seen fit to upset the ability of each individual member to get back to their district. . . .

Mr. Armey: . . . [O]ur agreement that we made last night was in full understanding of the need and the commitment to complete this, where the floor manager said, and I think in good faith and with all good intention, that they would do everything they could to finish by6:00. Unfortunately, given their best efforts, they have not been able to achieve that. . . .

Mr. Obey: . . . We were told that the intention of the leadership was that we were leaving at 6,that the committee should do its best to be done by 6, but there was a clear understandingthat the members would be allowed to leave as scheduled at 6:00.

Ch1.1-20 10/3/2007 11:38 AM Page 17



session and one week not in session each month. The House looked at the possibility of elim-inating evening votes, and went so far as to build a “family room” for members’ children nearthe House floor, just off Statuary Hall.

Nothing has happened to make congressional committee and floor schedules more pre-dictable. Members have also not changed their behavior in traveling routinely to their dis-tricts or states, and constituents have not changed their expectations for members to be phys-ically present in their districts or states as often as possible.

Within this demanding and shifting framework, a member’s time and attention areresources that must be strategically and tactically deployed. Effectiveness in Congress is often-times based on a member taking the right step at the right time and being in the right place atthe right time. Committee markups, floor debate and votes, constituent visits, calls to cam-paign contributors, purposeful chats with party leaders, and other important activities must beaccommodated in the swirl of ever-changing and unpredictable schedules.

§1.60 Family LifeIn addition to public and institutional pressures and demands, a member faces the challengeof balancing public and private lives. The demands of congressional service take a toll on amember’s family and family life.

Just a little over a generation ago, most members’ families lived in the Washington area.Today, a significant number of members’ families live in the home district or state. It is a keydifference in congressional life. Washington is a very expensive city compared with many ofthe places that members call home. To relocate a family and provide comparable housing,schools, and lifestyle is beyond many members’ means. In Washington, spouses and childrenare cut off from the network of family and friends in their hometowns. Members, therefore,end up maintaining two residences, even if one is a tiny or shared apartment on Capitol Hill.Some members with families back home even stay in their Washington office rather than rentanother place to live, although the House and Senate discourage that.

Whether a member’s family lives in Washington or elsewhere, the toll on family and per-sonal life is high. A spouse can become a stranger when one is a member of Congress. Thetime it takes to be a member of Congress can be a factor in a marriage’s breakup. Even whena family is in Washington and a member goes to his or her district or state a bit less frequent-ly or for a shorter period of time, the schedule of the House or Senate in session seems to pre-clude a regular home life. As mentioned in § 1.50, there has been discussion of “family friend-ly scheduling” in the last several Congresses, but no identifiable changes have endured.

Moreover, congressional families reflect changes in American life. Many spouses work.Delayed childbearing has affected members, too, with many of them, including an increasingnumber of women members, having young children at the same time they are building theircongressional careers. For these and other reasons, Congress in session has become the tem-

Cong re s s i ona l De skbook • Fi f t h Ed i t i o n§ 1.50

18

Ch1.1-20 10/3/2007 11:38 AM Page 18

Chapter 13: Congressional Deskbook: Being a Member of Congress


B e in g a Me mbe r o f Co ng re s s

19

1

§ 1.70

porary location for many members. A family and the constituents back home make the dis-trict or state the member’s principal residence and workplace. Members are in Washingtonthree or four days a week and not at all when there is a week-long recess.

A generation ago, members of Congress got to know each other fairly well. Members,spouses, and families socialized together. Members themselves would also socialize at activi-ties such as weekly poker games. That is much less common among junior members today.Some representatives, in reaction, have attempted to create some common ground. Twobipartisan family “retreats” were organized at Hershey Park, PA, just after the convening ofthe 105th and 106th Congresses, to enable House members and their families to socializetogether. The 107th and 108th Congresses’ retreats were held at the Greenbrier resort inWhite Sulphur Springs, WV, but no subsequent bipartisan or family retreats have been heldsince then. Congressional spouse organizations also attempt to provide a common ground.(See § 5.191, Congressional Spouse Organizations.)

Senators’ lives seem to have been affected somewhat less dramatically than those of rep-resentatives. A senator is somewhat more likely to have older grown children rather than be aparent of young children during his or her Senate service, and the relentless travel to the homestate is principally a feature of the last two years of a term. It is also somewhat less common fora senator’s spouse and family to reside in the home state rather than in the Washington area.

Like the trade-offs between obligations and perquisites, the honor and rewards of servingin Congress come at a price. A member’s family might be unprepared for its new status andregular separation from one parent. A member might be unprepared for the loneliness of hav-ing family far away.

§1.70 Staying in CongressAnother change in congressional service involves members’ departures from Congress after afew terms.

The median number of terms or years that a member might be expected to serve in Con-gress declined for some time. A generation ago, a newly elected member could reasonablyexpect to be reelected. Members frequently served twenty years or more before retirement.Reelection rates for the House—members choosing to run for reelection—are historicallyover 90 percent. At the beginning of the 110th Congress, the median number of terms servedby representatives was five (ten years). Reelection rates for the Senate are historically belowthose for the House, but are still high. At the beginning of the 110th Congress, the mediannumber of years served in the Senate was ten.

However, members whose seats are safe, who have no problem raising campaign funds,who hold positions of influence within Congress, and who contribute substantially to legisla-tion regularly decide not to run for reelection. Why is this commitment to a career in Con-gress eroding?

Ch1.1-20 10/3/2007 11:38 AM Page 19



Members of Congress cite many dissatisfactions with the congressional way of life as it hasevolved over a generation. Some of these are as follows:

• high toll on personal and family life• living with guilt over trying and being unable to be all things to all people, especially

loved ones• life in a fishbowl• backbreaking schedule• loss of time to think and be expert• partisanship of Congress• anonymity among colleagues that goes with a three-and-one-half-day-a-week

presence in Washington• endless fund-raising and the cost of campaigns• undue influence of special interests• negative campaigning, which has become year-round and includes groups affiliated

with one’s own party as well as the opposition party• perceived irrelevance and intransigence of Congress in solutions to national problems• vacuous, symbolic, and partisan legislation and votes on the congressional agenda• perception of parties’ lack of interest in governing• low salary for the work and high cost of being a member of Congress• need for a higher salary to provide family needs, such as college costs• decline of interest in public service • term limits as a political issue and as a reality in committee and subcommittee

chairmanships• stronger interest in other careersThe hardship of congressional life is undeniable. Even the most self-confident and politi-

cally gifted member might choose to make a change after a few terms.However, turnover might also reflect generational changes in how Americans view their

jobs. Many workers today hold several jobs in the course of a lifetime, in contrast to the normin their parents’ generation, when a successful career might have meant working for just oneor two employers. In part, the shorter tenure of members of Congress could simply reflect larg-er national trends.

Whatever the reason for a member departing after a few terms, the departure means a lossof expertise and of political experience in Congress. National problems are complex and noteasily mastered in a short time. Even with knowledge or expertise, members need politicalexperience to identify and engineer legislative solutions. For the professional interacting withCongress, the shorter tenure presents both opportunities and challanges in developing work-ing relationships, understanding congressional dynamics, and advocating and facilitating leg-islative solutions. (See Chapter Four, Pressures on Congress: Lobbying and Congressional Ethics.)


20

Ch1.1-20 10/3/2007 11:38 AM Page 20

Chapter 14: Congressional Deskbook: Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff


109

Supporting Congress:

Allowancesand Staff

C h a p t e r F i v e

12

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34



Cong re s s i ona l De skbook • Fi f t h Ed i t i o n

110

5

Analysissection title

5.00 Introduction

5.10 Pay and Allowances of Members

5.20 Salary, Earned Income, and Benefits

5.30 House Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses

5.40 Senate Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses5.41 Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account

5.50 Franking Privilege

5.60 Personal Staff5.61 Staff Salary Data5.62 Congressional Staff Organizations

5.70 Committee and Subcommittee Staff

5.80 House of Representatives Committee Funding

5.90 Senate Committee Funding

5.100 Congressional Fellowships and Internships

5.110 Administrative Offices of the House5.111 Chaplains and Guest Chaplains5.112 Selling Products and Services to Congress5.113 Congressional Pages

5.120 Administrative Offices of the Senate5.121 Architect of the Capitol5.122 Office of the Attending Physician5.123 Capitol Police

5.130 Legislative-Branch Support Agencies5.131 Requesting GAO Assistance

5.140 Government Printing Office

5.150 Congressional Accountability Act

5.160 General Services Administration

5.170 Congressional Liaison Offices 5.171 Liaison Offices on Capitol Hill5.172 Duties of a Congressional Liaison Office5.173 General Counsel Offices

5.180 Office of Management and Budget

5.190 Outside Groups5.191 Congressional Spouse Organizations

Ch5.109-158 10/3/2007 11:43 AM Page 110

Chapter 15: Congressional Deskbook: Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex


ter and child, and a mechanic. Sheaves of wheat, symbolic of fertility, and an anchor, symbol-ic of hope, complete this side of the tympanum. (See also § 6.15, Resources on the Capitol.)

§ 6.20 Guide to Public Buildings on Capitol HillThe Capitol and surrounding congressional buildings are accessible by Metro (subway), bus,taxi, and car. The Metro station closest to the Capitol and the House office buildings is Capi-tol South; the station closest to the Senate office buildings is Union Station. Public parking isvery limited, with Union Station north of the Senate office buildings being the closest placewhere parking is nearly always available. Visitors with disabilities who have appointments atthe Capitol may request parking; the congressional office with whom the visitor has anappointment should contact the Congressional Special Services Office to reserve a parkingspace. Street spaces are restricted to permit holders or to short-term parking (neighborhoodzone and meters).

Public and barrier-free entrances to the Capitol and other public Capitol Hill buildingsare shown on the Capitol Hill map. (See § 6.21, Capitol Hill Map.) The Congressional SpecialServices Office assists congressional staff and visitors with disabilities. It provides guidedtours, wheelchairs, TDD-TTY support, interpreting, FM systems, and special assistance atevents. (Call 202-224-4048 or, TDD-TTY, 202-224-4049.)

Visitor entrances to the Capitol are limited during construction of the Capitol VisitorCenter, which is being built on the East Front. Visitors must obtain timed-entry tickets at akiosk on First Street, SW, between Independence and Maryland Avenues (across from theBotanical Garden), and queue up near the House south door. (For information, call the CapitolGuide Service, 202-225-6827. See also § 3.112, Constituent Services and Courtesies.) Guidedtours can also be arranged in advance through the office of a member of Congress. The Housesouth door, House steps, and carriageway door are open, as are the Senate north door, Senatesteps, and carriageway door. Visitors to the House and Senate galleries, which are open whenthe respective chamber is in session and during business hours Monday through Friday, mustobtain gallery passes from a member of Congress; admission is through the House south doorand Senate north door. (See § 6.22, Capitol Security.)

The West Front faces The Mall, with its terraces providing sweeping views of Pennsylva-nia Avenue, the Smithsonian buildings, and other museums, monuments, and federal officebuildings.

In elevator lobbies in the Capitol and House and Senate office buildings, a visitor findswall directories for the offices of representatives, senators, committees, and other officials,including both office and telephone numbers. Often there are floor plans in the elevator lob-bies, as well, to orient visitors.

Many rooms in the Capitol and congressional office buildings are available for meals,receptions, meetings, and other activities. A person or organization wishing to arrange a Capi-

T he C a p i t o l C omp l e x

177

6

§ 6.20

Ch6.159-188 10/3/2007 11:43 AM Page 177



Cong re s s i ona l De skbook • Fi f t h Ed i t i o n

tol Hill event must work through the office of a member of Congress, a congressional com-mittee or a congressional leader.

Capitol

The chambers of the House and Senate, National Statuary Hall, and the Rotunda are located onthe second (“principal”) floor of the Capitol. (See § 6.23, The Capitol’s Second (Principal) Floor.)

§ 6.20

178

§ 6.21

Capitol Hill Map

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Ch6.159-188 10/3/2007 11:43 AM Page 178




186

House Bell and Light Signals

1. One long ring

2. One long ring, pause,followed by three rings

3. One long ring

4. Two rings

5. Two rings, pause,followed by two rings

6. Two rings, pause,followed by five rings

• Occurs fifteen minutes before the House convenes, withone ring at the time of convening. One red light remainslighted at all times while the House is in session.

• Signals the start or continuation of a notice quorum call. It is terminated if and when 100 members appear.

• Termination of a notice quorum call.

• Fifteen-minute electronically recorded vote.

• Manual roll-call vote. The bells are sounded again when the clerk reaches the letter R in the roster ofrepresentatives. Manual roll-call votes are rare.

• First vote under suspension of the rules or on clusteredvotes. Two rings occur five minutes later. The first vote of a set of clustered votes takes fifteen minutes. Successivevotes are taken at intervals of not less than five minutes,and each successive vote is signaled by five rings.

1. One long ring at hour of convening

2. One ring

3. Two rings

4. Three rings

5. Four rings

6. Five rings

7. Six rings

8. Twelve rings rung attwo-second intervals

• One red light remains lighted at all times while the Senate is in session.

• Yeas and nays.

• Quorum call.

• Call of absentees.

• Adjournment or recess (end of daily session).

• Seven and one-half minutes remaining on yea-or-nay vote.

• Morning Business concluded, with lights shut offimmediately; or recess during daily session, with lights staying on during period of recess.

• Civil Defense Warning.

Senate Buzzer and Light Signals

Ch6.159-188 10/3/2007 11:43 AM Page 186

Chapter 15: Congressional Deskbook: Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex


T he C a p i t o l C omp l e x

187

6

§ 6.30

House Bell and Light Signals

7. Three rings

8. Three rings, pause,followed by three rings

9. Three rings, pause,followed by five rings

10. Four rings

11. Five rings

12. Six rings

13. Twelve rings rung attwo-second intervals

• Quorum call, either initially or after a notice quorum hasbeen converted to a regular quorum call. The bells arerepeated five minutes after the first ring. Members havefifteen minutes to be recorded.

• Manual quorum call. The bells are sounded again when the clerk reaches the letter R in the roster ofrepresentatives. Manual quorum calls are rare.

• Quorum call in Committee of the Whole, which may be immediately followed by a five-minute recorded vote.

• Adjournment of the House.

• Five-minute electronically recorded vote.

• Recess of the House.

• Civil Defense Warning.

Chapter 16: Resources from TheCapitol.Net


Resources from TheCapitol.Net

Web Pages

• FAQ: Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress

<www.CongressPay.com>

Capitol Learning Audio Courses™<www.CapitolLearning.com>

• Congressional Pay and Perks

ISBN: 1587330873

• What Your Member of Congress Can Do for You: Gallery Passes, Flags,

Presidential Greetings, and Help with Federal Agencies

ISBN: 1587330733

Live Training<www.CapitolHillTraining.com>

• Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations

<www.CongressionalBudgeting.com>

• Advanced Federal Budget Process

<www.BudgetProcess.com>

• The President's Budget

<www.PresidentsBudget.com>

• Capitol Hill Workshop

<www.CapitolHillWorkshop.com>



Other Resources Resources

1787-1800June 26, 1787Senate Terms and Salaries

The framers of the Constitution, meeting in Philadelphia on June 26, 1787, made two key decisions

about Senate operations. They established the term of office and the source of compensation.

A majority of convention delegates shared James Madison’s view that the Senate needed protection

from momentary shifts of public opinion. The best protection would be a lengthy term of office for

its members, without possibility of recall. Madison thought nine years would serve that purpose,

with one-third of the seats expiring every three years. When put to a vote, however, his proposal

lost by a large margin. With other delegates pushing for just four years to keep members from

losing touch with their constituencies, the convention adopted a six-year compromise.

The convention then turned to the touchy issue of members’ salaries. Benjamin Franklin believed

the Senate should represent the nation’s wealthy classes; therefore if no salary were provided,

only wealthy persons would serve. He warned that if the convention authorized salaries, the

public might suspect it of having “carved out places” for the younger delegates who would be

natural senators. When put to a vote, Franklin’s proposal nearly won, with five states in favor

and six opposed.

Then the question arose as to who would pay the salaries. Several delegates suggested the

individual states. Madison reminded them that this would destroy the principle that senators

were to be “impartial umpires & Guardians of justice and General good,” reflecting national as

well as state interests. It would also subvert the plan for a six-year term, as states could in effect

recall senators by withholding their salaries. This motion also failed by a five to six vote.

The framers subsequently decided that members should be paid out of the national treasury,

but—in their wisdom—left it to the new Congress to decide how and how much.

Reference Items:

• Kurland, Philip B., and Ralph Lerner. The Founders’ Constitution. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987. CD-ROM: ISBN: 0226463907Softbound:• Volume 1, ISBN: 0865973024• Volume 2, ISBN: 0865973032• Volume 3, ISBN: 0865973040• Volume 4, ISBN: 0865973059• Volume 5, ISBN: 0865973067

Source: <www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Terms_and_Salaries.htm>

Chapter 17: Other Resources


1787-1800September 14, 1789Congressional Pay

What would be a fair salary for a member of the Senate? The framers of the U.S. Constitution, in

their wisdom, dodged that potentially explosive question. Some believed, however, that because

senators would probably come from the well-to-do classes, they should receive no salary at all.

Under the Articles of Confederation—the constitution in effect during the framers’ 1787

deliberations—members of the existing Congress received varying salaries from their individual

states. If a state legislature became dissatisfied with one of its representatives in the Continental

Congress, it could simply suspend his salary.

Seeking to narrow state powers over the central government, the Constitution’s authors provided

that congressional salaries would come from the federal treasury, with Congress setting the

actual amount.

As one of its first orders of business, the House of Representatives formed a committee to

draft congressional pay legislation. The panel recommended six dollars for each day a member

attended a session. But Representative James Madison, the Constitution’s principal architect,

irritated his fellow House members by proposing that senators be paid more than representatives

because they presumably had greater responsibilities under the Constitution. The House ignored

Madison and accepted the six-dollar rate for both chambers.

When the clerk of the House carried the pay bill to the Senate chamber, senators were

preoccupied with major legislation establishing cabinet departments, locating the permanent

seat of government, and creating the Bill of Rights. Nevertheless they found time for a heated

debate on salaries. Pennsylvania’s Robert Morris moved that senators receive two dollars more

than House members so that they would not have to live in substandard boarding houses and

associate with “improper company.”

On September 14, 1789, in the face of solid House opposition, the Senate agreed to a curious

face-saving arrangement. Senators would receive one dollar more than House members, but

not for another six years—and the higher rate would remain in effect for one year only.

Six years later, senators did receive the extra dollar, but just for a two-week special session in

which only the Senate was convened to consider a treaty.

For the next 187 years, members of both houses received the same rate of pay. Then, in 1983,

perhaps as a long-deferred reward for the House’s earlier patience, its members received a

higher salary than senators—but only for a few months. Call it even.

Reference Item:

• U.S. Congress. Senate. The Senate, 1789-1989, Vol. 2, by Robert C. Byrd. 100th Cong., 1st sess., 1991. S. Doc.100-20.

Source: <www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Congressional_Pay.htm>



Power Trips by Steve Henn (Sept. 2004)American RadioWorks®

Reforms in recent years have made many of the lush perks once enjoyed by Congress disappear.

But not all, certainly not travel. That’s the conclusion of an investigation by Marketplace,

American RadioWorks, and a team of graduate students from Northwestern’s Medill School of

Journalism, who cataloged every privately sponsored trip taken by members of the House or

Senate since 2000. The result: Over $14 million spent by corporations, universities, and other

outside interests, sending representatives around the world, for sometimes questionable reasons.

<http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/congtravel/>

Internet Resources • Answers to Questions about Congressional Pay & Perks, from the National Taxpayers Union <www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=52>

• “Congressional Perks: How the Trappings of Office Trap Taxpayers,” by Peter J. Sepp, From the National Taxpayers Union, NTUF Policy Paper 131, Nov 1, 2000<www.ntu.org/main/press.php?PressID=343>

• “Slashing Congressional Spending, Part I: Congressional Pay, Pensions, Perks, and Staff,” by Dan Greenberg, The Heritage Foundation, May 16, 1995 <www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/BG1034.cfm>

• Executive Order 13527: “Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay,” Federal Register, Vol. 74 No. 249, page 69231, December 23, 2009 (12-page pdf ) <http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-31098.pdf>

Books • Vital Statistics on Congress 2008, by Norman J. Ornstein, Thomas Mann, Michael Malbin, Brookings Institution Press, ISBN: 0815766653

• Congress as Public Enemy: Public Attitudes toward American Political Institutions, by John R. Hibbing and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 0521483360

• Unelected Representatives, by Michael J. Malbin, Harper Colophon Books, ISBN: 0465088678

• Almanac of the Unelected: Staff of the U.S. Congress, 2008, 21st Edition, by Lisa Friedman, Bernan Press, ISBN: 1598881841

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How OurLaws AreMade

GOVERNMENT SERIES

SmartGridModernizing Electric Power Transmission andDistribution; Energy Independence, Storage andSecurity; Energy Independence and Security Actof 2007 (EISA); Improving Electrical Grid Efficiency,Communication, Reliability, and Resiliency;Integrating New and Renewable Energy Sources

GOVERNMENT SERIES

Energy:EthanolThe Production and Use of Biofuels, Biodiesel, and Ethanol;Agriculture-Based Renewable Energy Production IncludingCorn and Sugar; the Ethanol “Blend Wall”; Renewable FuelStandard (RFS and RFS2); Cellulosic Biofuels; 2007 EnergyBill; 2008 Farm Bill; Food and Livestock Feed Price Inflation;Caribbean Basin Initiative; and U.S.-Brazil Energy Cooperation


GOVERNMENT SERIES

Energy:Natural GasThe Production and Use of Natural Gas, Natural Gas Importsand Exports, EPAct Project, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)Import Terminals and Infrastructure Security, UndergroundWorking Gas Storage, Fischer-Tropsch Fuels from Coal,Natural Gas, and Biomass, Gas Hydrates, Gas Shales,Hydraulic Fracturing, Alaska Natural Gas Pipelines


GOVERNMENT SERIES

CongressionalPay andPerksSalaries, Pensions and Retirement,Franking, Travel, and Other Benefitsfor U.S. Senators and Representatives

congressional pay and perks: salaries, pension and retirement, franking, travel, and other benefits...

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