One provision in the recently negotiated federal spending package is a proposed pay increase for members of Congress, which would be the first in over a decade.
However, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have come out against the potential pay raise. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) told Politico that federal lawmakers already make more than 90% of Americans, and that he would not support the continuing resolution (CR) unless language is inserted that would block the pay bump.
"Mainers can’t wave a wand and give themselves a raise, and Congress shouldn’t either — especially when most voters would tell you our job performance is poor at best," Golden said. "Until the pay freeze is reinstated, I will not vote for this CR."
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But on Wednesday, CNN reporter Manu Raju asked Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) his thoughts on the proposed pay increase. Durbin stated that Raju's question was the first time he had heard of the potential raise, and celebrated it by saying there had been no cost-of-living adjustments for Congress in 15 years.
Then he and Raju had a brief moment of contention when the journalist suggested that voters may not think members of Congress deserve a raise given their low public approval.
"People look at the performance of Congress and say, 'Why should we give them more money?'" Raju said.
"What about the media? Think about that for a second," Durbin responded.
"We’re not paid by public money," Raju countered.
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"I know you’re not. But I mean, half of your listeners are not there anymore," Durbin said. "You’re still getting the same paycheck? What’s going on?"
Various commentators and experts commented on social media that Congress potentially paying itself more was bad optics given how many other Americans are also deserving of raises.
On Bluesky, progressive media outlet the Tennessee Holler pointed out that the minimum wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009. CNN pundit Shermichael Singleton tweeted: "A pay raise while millions of Americans are still struggling? These people are out of touch and out of their minds."
Brookings Institution senior fellow Aaron Klein offered what he admitted was an "unpopular take," tweeting: "Members of Congress make multi-trillion dollar decisions for the American people. Paying them a lot more would increase member quality and reduce corruption to generate substantial net savings for taxpayers."
"They should absolutely get a raise," tweeted former Greenwich, Connecticut town meeting representative Ed Dadakis. "But the quid pro quo should be a prohibition on trading individual stocks."
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Watch the video of Raju's exchange with Durbin below, or by clicking this link.