Congress keeps pay increase this year; forgoes 2010 hike

Anyone who followed the debate Tuesday in the U.S. Senate would have been impressed by the bipartisan unanimity on display against a pay raise next January for members of Congress. Indeed, angry words were exchanged — but not over whether senators and representatives are deserving of more money.

At issue was the elimination of automatic cost-of-living adjustment of the pay. Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, wanted a provision added to the massive $410 billion omnibus spending bill that was under consideration. But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, objected, saying any changes to the measure would be disastrous. Reid noted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, had warned against amending it.

The $410 billion will keep the federal government operating through September.

Reid proposed a separate piece of legislation to eliminate the automatic COLA, but Vitter objected. The impasse means it is still in effect — and would apply to 2011 unless Congress adopts the kind of legislation proposed by Reid. Given today’s economic realities, it’s a safe bet that there will be such a move by Congress in the near future.

In light of lawmakers’ denying themselves a pay raise in January 2010, and their seeming willingness to do away with the automatic COLA, are these servants of the people deserving of public praise? It depends on your point of view.

If you were expecting them to reject the $4,700 increase that went into effect this past January, then you will one of those saying, “A pox on both their Houses.” But, if you believe the senators and representatives have demonstrated political leadership in forgoing the raise for 2010, then you will be inclined to heap praise on them.

We find ourselves among the “pox” wishers. With 12 million Americans unemployed, with 401K plans losing more than 30 percent of their value, with private sector employers freezing or eliminating pensions plans, and with home foreclosure rates hitting historic highs, the very idea of public employees (officeholders included) getting more money in their paychecks makes the blood boil.

Opinion polls

The public’s disdain for all things government is evident in opinion polls. Last year, as he was leaving office, President Bush’s approval rating was so low, it became the subject of late-night television talk shows. Significantly, Congress’ rating was even lower than Bush’s.

Taxpayers around the country, aware of the automatic cost-of-living adjustment to congressional pay, demanded a rollback this year.

This his how Tom Schatz, president of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, put it:

“Members of Congress don’t deserve one additional dime of taxpayer money in 2009. While thousands of Americans are facing layoffs and downsizing, Congress should be mortified to accept a raise.”

But, mortification appears to be a short supply on Capitol Hill.

With the $4,700 increase in January, the salary of the rank-and-file member is $174,000. Leaders in the House and Senate receive even more.

But it isn’t only congressional salaries that cause taxpayers, especially those working in the private sector, high anxiety. The pensions that members of Congress receive are certainly better than what the average private sector worker gets.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 were receiving an average of $60,972, while the rest averaged $35,952. They are also eligible for Social Security.

Given that taxpayer dollars are funneled into public pension plans at all levels, it’s time for a reassessment.

Congress should lead the way in conducting a top-to-bottom assessment of the pension system — while it takes on the easy task of ending the automatic COLA system. There should not have been a pay raise this year; it’s a good thing there won’t be one next year. In 2012, members of Congress should only get an increase if the nation’s economy has turned around to such an extent that their constituents are working again in jobs that pay a livable wage.