Congress Salary Freeze Confirmed: No Pay Raise for 2024

URGENT UPDATE: Members of Congress will not receive a pay increase in 2024, as confirmed by the latest government funding bill signed by President Donald Trump. The salaries for the vast majority of lawmakers will remain frozen at $174,000—a figure that has not changed since 2009.

This new legislation, aimed at reopening the government, includes a provision that blocks any cost-of-living adjustments for congressional salaries, a move that has sparked widespread discussion and controversy. The government funding will extend through January 30, 2024, while legislative branch funding will carry through the entire fiscal year, ending September 30, 2024.

The salary freeze comes at a time when many federal employees receive annual adjustments, raising concerns about the implications for those seeking to serve in Congress.

“Over time, if you stay on this trajectory, you’re going to have less qualified people who are willing to make the extreme sacrifice to run for Congress,”

stated House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this year, highlighting the growing frustration among lawmakers regarding stagnant pay.

In an effort to address this issue, members from both parties, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have voiced their concerns about the implications of such a freeze. Ocasio-Cortez commented,

“If we want working class people who don’t rely on independent wealth to represent people in Congress, we have to make it work.”

Despite previous attempts to secure even a modest pay raise, including a failed proposal last year that would have allowed for an increase of up to $6,600, lawmakers have consistently faced pushback. Notably, tech mogul Elon Musk was among those who criticized the proposed raise, contributing to its collapse.

The rationale behind the freeze is clear: granting lawmakers a pay increase immediately following a government shutdown—which left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay—would be politically disastrous. However, the continuing lack of adjustment means that the salary for rank-and-file members, if it had kept pace with inflation, would currently be approximately $221,600, according to the Congressional Research Service.

As Congress grapples with these issues, the implications for future elections and the quality of representation remain a pressing concern. The ongoing freeze on congressional salaries may deter qualified candidates from entering the political arena, ultimately impacting the diversity and representation of the legislative body.

With the political landscape evolving rapidly, all eyes will be on Congress as they navigate these challenges and consider the future of compensation for their members. The lack of a pay increase for another year raises critical questions about the long-term effects on governance and public service.

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story as the implications of this decision continue to develop.