Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Legislators
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Congressional Pay and Perks Action Kit
Author: Congressional Pay and Perks
Author: Ida BrudnickPublisher: The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN: 1587332159
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 301
Book Description
Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current formula for automatic annual adjustments, which is based on changes in private sector wages and salaries as measured by the Employment Cost Index. The adjustment goes into effect automatically unless denied statutorily by Congress, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule employees. Allowances are available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 20 years, critics continue to raise concerns that the franking privilege is both financially wasteful and gives unfair advantages to incumbents in congressional elections. In particular, mass mailings have come under increased scrutiny as critics argue that the vast majority of franked mail is unsolicited and, in effect, publicly funded campaign literature. Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements: CSRS and Social Security; The "CSRS Offset" plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits; FERS and Social Security; or Social Security alone. Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base ($102,000 in 2008 and $106,800 in 2009). Members enrolled in FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In 2008, Members covered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $102,000 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. After Members of the House leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from House Rules, but many are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Former Representatives who become lobbyists have limited privileges. See full Table of Contents at https://www.thecapitol.net/Publications/GovernmentSeries/1657_CongressionalPayAndPerks.html
Congressional Pay and Perks: Salaries, Pension and Retirement, Franking, Travel, and Other Benefits for U.S. Senators and Representatives
Author: Ida A. BrudnickPublisher: TheCapitol.Net Inc
ISBN: 1587331659
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 48
Book Description
Congressional pay and perks are examined in detail in this reference compiledby TheCapitol.Net.
Congressional Pay and Perks
Author: Ida BrudnickPublisher: The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN: 9781587332159
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 294
Book Description
Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current formula for automatic annual adjustments, which is based on changes in private sector wages and salaries as measured by the Employment Cost Index. The adjustment goes into effect automatically unless denied statutorily by Congress, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule employees. Allowances are available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 20 years, critics continue to raise concerns that the franking privilege is both financially wasteful and gives unfair advantages to incumbents in congressional elections. In particular, mass mailings have come under increased scrutiny as critics argue that the vast majority of franked mail is unsolicited and, in effect, publicly funded campaign literature. Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements: CSRS and Social Security; The "CSRS Offset" plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits; FERS and Social Security; or Social Security alone. Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base ($102,000 in 2008 and $106,800 in 2009). Members enrolled in FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In 2008, Members covered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $102,000 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. After Members of the House leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from House Rules, but many are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Former Representatives who become lobbyists have limited privileges. See full Table of Contents at https://www.thecapitol.net/Publications/GovernmentSeries/1657_CongressionalPayAndPerks.html
Executive Level and Congressional Pay
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee BenefitsPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Government executives
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
Congressional Pay and Perks
Author: Ralph NaderPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Franking privilege
Languages : en
Pages : 24
Book Description
Congressional Pay and Perquisites
Author: Congressional Quarterly, incPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 112
Book Description
Congressional Members
Author: Clyde ChapmanPublisher: Nova Science Publishers
ISBN: 9781634837378
Category : Business and economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Congress is required by the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009. A provision in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act prohibited any pay adjustment for 2010. This book contains information on the pay procedure and actions and freezes since the last pay adjustment in 2009. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992. In addition, the book contains information on actions taken affecting each pay year since the establishment of the Ethics Reform Act adjustment procedure. It also provides information on other floor action related to pay for Members of Congress; examines the distribution of Member service that underlies the aggregate chamber averages is examined; and analyzes historical trends in the percentage of Members who have served in both chambers.
Salaries of Members of Congress
Author: Congressional Research Congressional Research ServicePublisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781503089877
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 34
Book Description
The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress "ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Under this revised process, annual adjustments were accepted 13 times (scheduled for January 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009) and denied 11 times (scheduled for January 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014). Since January 2009, the salary for Members of Congress has been $174,000. Subsequent adjustments were denied by P.L. 111-8 (enacted March 11, 2009), P.L. 111-165 (May 14, 2010), P.L. 111-322 (December 22, 2010), P.L. 112-175 (September 28, 2012), P.L. 112-240 (January 2, 2013), and P.L. 113-46 (October 17, 2013). A provision in the House-passed version of the FY2015 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4487, passed on May 1, 2014) would prohibit the scheduled January 2015 adjustment. In the 113th Congress, bills have been introduced to alter the adjustment procedure, reduce the pay of Members of Congress, extend the current pay freeze, prohibit pay during a government shutdown, and apply any sequester to Member pay. A third method for adjusting Member pay is congressional action pursuant to recommendations from the President, based on the recommendations of the Citizens' Commission on Public Service and Compensation established in the 1989 Ethics Reform Act. Although the Citizens' Commission should have convened in 1993, it did not and has not met since then. For historical tables on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared with actual adjustments in Member pay; details on enacted legislation with language prohibiting the automatic annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992, see CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, by Ida A. Brudnick. Members of Congress only receive salaries during the terms for which they are elected. Former Members of Congress may be eligible for retirement benefits. For additional information on retirement benefit requirements, contributions, and formulas, see CRS Report RL30631, Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress, by Katelin P. Isaacs.
Salaries of Members of Congress
Author: Congressional ServicePublisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781984208620
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 26
Book Description
Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Member pay has since been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009. At that time, their salary was increased 2.8%, to $174,000. This freeze represents a decrease of 12% from 2009 through 2017 when adjusted for inflation. A provision in P.L. 111-8 prohibited any pay adjustment for 2010. Under the pay adjustment formula, Members were originally scheduled to receive an adjustment in January 2010 of 2.1%, although this would have been revised downward automatically to 1.5% to match the GS base pay adjustment. Members next were scheduled to receive a 0.9% pay adjustment in 2011. The pay adjustment was prohibited by P.L. 111-165. Additionally, P.L. 111-322 prevented any adjustment in GS base pay before December 31, 2012. Since the percentage adjustment in Member pay may not exceed the percentage adjustment in the base pay of GS employees, Member pay was also frozen during this period. If not limited by GS pay, Member pay could have been adjusted by 1.3% in 2012. The ECI formula established a maximum potential pay adjustment in January 2013 of 1.1%. P.L. 112-175 extended the freeze on GS pay rates for the duration of this continuing resolution, which also extended the Member freeze since the percentage adjustment in Member pay may not exceed the percentage adjustment in GS base pay. Subsequently, Member pay for 2013 was further frozen in P.L. 112-240. The maximum potential 2014 pay adjustment of 1.2%, or $2,100, was denied by P.L. 113-46. The maximum potential January 2015 Member pay adjustment under the ECI formula was 1.6%, or $2,800. The President proposed a 1.0% increase in the base pay of GS employees, which would automatically have limited any Member pay adjustment to 1.0%. P.L. 113-235 contained a provision prohibiting any Member pay adjustment. The maximum potential January 2016 pay adjustment of 1.7%, or $3,000, under the ECI formula would have been limited to 1.0%, or $1,700, due to the GS base pay increase. Member pay for 2016 was frozen by P.L. 114-113. The maximum potential January 2017 pay adjustment of 1.6%, or $2,800, under the ECI formula would have been limited to 1.0%, or $1,700, due to the GS base pay increase. Member pay for 2017 was frozen by P.L. 114-254. The maximum potential January 2018 pay adjustment of 1.8%, or $3,100, was automatically limited to 1.4%, or $2,400. The FY2018 continuing appropriations resolutions have continued the existing pay freeze for the duration of each resolution. If Members of Congress had received every adjustment prescribed by the ECI formula since 1992, and the 2 U.S.C. 4501 limitation regarding the percentage base pay increase for GS employees remained unchanged, the 2018 salary would be $208,000. Both the automatic annual adjustments and funding for Members' salaries are provided pursuant to other laws (2 U.S.C. 4501)-not the annual appropriations bills-and a provision prohibiting a scheduled adjustment could be included in any bill, or introduced as a separate bill.