Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts says federal lawmakers should get a pay raise because Congress is becoming the “plaything of multimillionaires and billionaires” who have plenty of resources to run and don’t worry about making a living wage.
Ms. Warren, speaking to Business Insider, pointed to the unique difficulty of maintaining two residences — one in a lawmaker’s home state or district and one in Washington — and the need to retain good people in public service.
“I understand that no one wants to waste taxpayer dollars, but Congress needs to be more realistic about what it takes to attract the top people to public service across the board, and how to keep them engaged throughout their careers,” she said.
Members of Congress make $174,000 per year, an amount that far exceeds what the average American earned in 2023 — $59,428, according to Forbes.
Many Americans also take a dim view of politicians, so those factors make pay raises for Congress a dicey subject. Some Americans would chafe at lawmakers giving themselves more money even as they struggle with high costs or confront a stagnant minimum wage.
Ms. Warren and her husband, Bruce Mann, have a combined net worth of about $12 million, according to a 2019 estimate from Forbes.
The senator said there is a broader problem, in that only the supremely wealthy will be interested in running for Congress if it isn’t viewed as a paying job in itself.
“Everyone working in government should be paid more: members of Congress and their staffs,” she said. “Congress should not be the plaything of multimillionaires and billionaires who’ve already secured their fortunes and don’t care about earning a living to support their families.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, has been outspoken about the costs of living for members of Congress and how it keeps working-class persons from running for Congress.
It’s not just Democrats.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, North Carolina Republican, made a similar point to the Dispatch in recent weeks, saying a pay raise would attract “credible people to run for office.”
“Most of us don’t have wealth,” he said.
He also pointed out that key members of the judiciary and executive branches earn more.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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