Congress members can no longer vote to give themselves a raise- it should either be put to a vote by their constituents or dependent on how well they did improving cost of living for their constituents.
77 Likes
Congress should have their pay docked every time they do not have their budgets passed before it expires. Along with pay their benefits should be stopped and let them know what average Americans go through.
48 Likes
Representatives should only make the average household median of the state they represent. They should only get a raise after they raise the average in the state they represent. Period.
46 Likes
No member of the government should be able to vote for there own raise, no one in there regular job you get to vote for your own raise, right so why should members of the government, I have not heard of them ever voting down any raises, have you. I feel each state should be the ones to vote on there representative, this way if those members want a rise then they need to always be doing a good job, if the people of the state think they are or not. This will keep the accountability of each member, like if they miss not being there to participate in debate as well as votes, then they don’t get good reviews for the raise. No more voting for any other place like they are doing now, they have to be at the work place. Just any one that has to go to work every day to earn there pay.
33 Likes
… or just linked to the minimal wage… which is, after all, enough to live.
8 Likes
Compensation for Representatives and Senators should come from the States they represent and not the Federal Government. Compensation includes pay, health care, and expenses incurred. This will keep them, as they should, “loyal” to their State.
39 Likes
Wonderful idea. I think a Ballot Proposal would work great in this situation, and if you want to have fun with it, WHEN they request a salary change (for themselves) to go on the ballot, it automatically triggers the option for people to vote for a salary decrease of an equal and opposite amount.
For example the Ballot Proposal might read,
“Bob Bureaucrat, US Senator for District 1 of Michigan, is requesting his salary be raised from $145,000 to $160,000. Yes is a vote to increase his pay, No is a vote to decrease his pay to $130,000.”
Kind of a stop-gap measure to ensure IF they ask for more money, they better be confident they were helping their constituents. Otherwise they can cruise along and keep making what they’re making and be happy with it.
26 Likes
I wish I had more votes!!! This right here needs to be implemented. They give themselves a raise every other year but can’t raise the federal minimum wage? get bent
13 Likes
I disagree all legislative staff to include representatives and senators should receive the minimum social security annuitant pay. Go ahead and allow them to vote to fix social security while ensuring “general welfare” of Americas citizens.
8 Likes
Congress should have their pay allocated as a function of transparency to the American People. Simply put, if a congress person is 100% transparent, he/she gets 100% of pay; however, if 30% of his/her votes/actions were performed in secret votes, abstains, or votes only “Present” instead of “Yay or Nay” on items, or his/her legislation is secretly imbedded deep within other bills in an effort to hide said legislation from the American People, then likewise, he/she should be “docked” 30% of his/her salary for that term. Going to Congress, alone, simply doesnt get it. If they dont participate, or refuse to be transparent about their work, or having been elected as a conservative, yet exposes himself/herself as 80%, liberal, for example, based on political activities taken and bills supported/sponsored (ie: specifically, RINOS and DINOS) they should pay a heavy price for it.
9 Likes
Tie congressional pay to the poverty line, cost of living, and similar economic metrics. Make it a simple formula - economic data goes in, congressional salary for the following year comes out.
9 Likes
Agreed – Congressional pay should be based on a FORMULA, not on a self-appointed vote. The formula should include standard metrics on how well this congress person performed his duties to his constituents based on the current economic state of the country/state/district. If students in school get rewarded based on test performances, so should congress persons. Any extra income outside of that should be carefully considered to ensure that it the income was not obtained through political favors, kickback schemes, bribery payments, money laundering, or inside info. trading.
13 Likes
We the people should approve of deny pay raises… Since they are supposed to the working for US the American people.
11 Likes
The Cost of Living in Iowa and Michigan is VASTLY different than the Cost of Living in New York and California.
They need to be concerned about the State they are Representing. They also need to understand how their actions affect the Country that is paying them as well.
What if the base Federal Government pay is the same, and the States with CRAZY costs of living pay the difference for the adjusted cost of living?
We need Congress to Make a Living, so they do not attempt insider trading, and money from special interests. They need to be watched carefully for taking money that goes against the United States Citizens they were Elected to Represent.
Term limits help protect against this.
Two Terms at any Elected Office, and then move to another Elected Office, or Retire from Elected Offices.
-Bret 
9 Likes
Congress won’t write this law. That’s the whole problem.
3 Likes
I think what is good for the military is good for them In pay as well. and it would only go up the little bit they get.
3 Likes
I see there are a few topics regarding this issue. I personally believe they should be paid the median income of the people they represent. So if you’re representing Ohio, you should only be paid $35,981 per year. If they’d like more, they can help to increase the median income of their community.
(NOT to be confused with Minimum wage as I believe this would cause much more problems within our system.)
10 Likes
Indeed.
pay raises for high level politicians need to be linked to wages of the people.
If politicians want to raise their salary, they can only do it half to the amount they do it for the poorest. if they pay 2 $ more per month for the poorest group (maybe minimal wage, maybe social security paiments…) they may raise their own salary for 1$ per month.
on the other hsnd, if they make cuts with the poorest groups… they need to cut their own salary for the double relative amount. So if they cut minimal wage for 5%, they need to cut their own pay for 10%.
2 Likes
Trump wants to hear from you! Send this to him directly!
3 Likes
Exactly! Congress should NEVER be permitted to pass ANY laws that exclusively benefit, protect, or exempt them.
10 Likes