A BILL
To amend the compensation structure for members of Congress to align with the median income of their respective states.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Equal Representation Compensation Act.”
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT TO COMPENSATION.
(a) Adjustment of Salaries: Effective January 1 of each calendar year, the annual salary of each Member of Congress shall be adjusted to equal the median income of the state they represent, as determined by the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
(b) Calculation Methodology:
(1) The median income shall be calculated based on the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) data.
(2) The adjustment shall take into account any changes in the median income reported in the ACS for the previous calendar year.
(c) Reporting Requirements: The Congressional Budget Office shall provide a report to Congress every year detailing the median income for each state and the corresponding salaries for all Members of Congress.
SECTION 3. EXEMPTIONS.
This Act shall not apply to any member of Congress who is serving in a leadership role, as defined by House or Senate rules, until a comprehensive review of the impacts on leadership recruitment and retention is completed.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on January 1 of the year following its enactment.
SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act or the application thereof is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.