Congressmen get $4,700 cost-of-living pay increase

The Clarion-Ledger, 1/12/9

Even before they did a minute’s worth of work last week, Mississippi’s lawmakers in Washington got a $4,700 raise.

The wage hike that went into effect after the 111th Congress was gaveled in on Tuesday raised the average congressional salary from $169,300 to $174,000.

Although it’s pegged to a cost-of-living index, the raise has provoked scorn among those seeking to cut federal spending. Some lawmakers – including several Mississippians – also think it’s a bad time to get a pay raise.

“It’s one of the most ridiculous things Congress is doing right now,” said Paul Williams, vice president of policy for Citizens Against Government Waste. “We have people hurting right now financially and they (lawmakers) are sitting down getting a pay raise.”