Retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is not pleased with members of Congress’ compensation, as he lamented Thursday that he and his colleagues are “underpaid,” especially in the context of what their jobs entail.
Moran announced his displeasure with members’ $174,000 salary during the Legislative Branch subcommittee’s markup of the Legislative Branch appropriations bill, CQ Roll Call reported.
“I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid,” Moran told CQ Roll Call. “I understand that it’s widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world.”
The 113th Congress has been dubbed the “do-nothing Congress,” namely for its inability to pass legislation as partisan gridlock stalls most bills.
Moran, however, argued that it is difficult for members to live on the ‘meager’ salary they are paid. Many, the retiring Democrat said, have been living out of their offices and in “small little apartment units” in an effort to save money, as it is difficult for them to maintain residences in both the District of Columbia and their home districts.
To assist with members’ financial struggles, Moran said he plans to introduce an amendment to the Legislative Branch’s appropriations bill that would institute a per diem allowance during both its committee markup and when the bill is brought to the House floor.
Moran, however, has not yet announced what that allowance will be.
The Democrat went on to note that many state legislatures give their members a per diem allowance.
A freeze was placed on lawmakers’ salaries in 2010, and this year’s bill would continue that hold. Members would typically receive a 1.6 percent cost-of-living increase to salaries.
“Our pay has been frozen for three years, and we’re planning on freezing it a fourth year,” Moran said. “A lot of members can’t even afford to live decently in Washington.”
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said an amendment like Moran’s would likely fail.
“You won’t get a lot of votes,” he told The Associated Press. “But you’ll make a lot of friends.”
Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) came under fire in 2011 for telling a crowd he was struggling to make ends meet on his $174,000 salary. The Wisconsin Republican has a family of seven and said he was still paying off student loans.
