U.S. House of Representative Salary
Since 1855, U.S. Representatives have earned a yearly salary. The amount that a representative makes is a flat fee, which is adjusted periodically to account for living expenses and inflation. The pay rate is not based on tenure in the House, though jobs such as House minority and majority leaders and the Speaker of the House enjoy a higher salary than those without official posts.
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History
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Under the Articles of Confederation, members of the House of Representatives were paid a wage determined by their individual states. In 1789, under the new U.S. Constitution, an amendment was created to make salary raises available only after the new session of Congress after an election. This amendment was not ratified by the states until 202 years later, in 1992. While waiting on the amendment to be ratified, salaries of Representatives and Senators was maintained at the rate as it stood under the Articles of the Confederation, $6 per diem, or around $900 per year until 1816.
Increase
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The per diem payment model caused problems, as members were stockpiling daily payments by intentionally prolonging sessions. A salary of $1,500 per year was a hit among members of Congress, but the public was unhappy. Many House members lost their next election and the salary increase was repealed in the 1817 session. Senators argued for more pay, and were granted an increase in their per diem to $8, while Representatives maintained a pay rate of $6 per day. In 1855, members of Congress voted again to increase their salary and it was placed at $3,000 per year for Representatives and Senators.
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Increases
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Salaries rose incrementally from 1855 to 1925, growing from $3,000 to $10,000 per year. From 1932 to 1935, during the height of the Great Depression, salaries were reduced to $9,000 before slowly climbing back to $10,000. From the period of 1935 until the 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992, Congress approved 14 additional raises.
Ratification
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Despite the fact that the 27th amendment was introduced in 1789 and was ratified by six states by 1791, entry of new states to the Union and lack of public interest prevented ratification until 1992. The 27th Amendment went into effect during the 102nd Congress on May 20, 1992.
Current
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As of 2010, rank-and-file members of the U.S. House of Representatives were paid $174,000 per year. Those with special appointed positions, such as the Speaker and House majority and minority leaders ,were paid $193,400. Along with a yearly salary, today's members of Congress enjoy a comprehensive health insurance plan and retirement package.
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References
- Photo Credit capitol image by Andrew Breeden from Fotolia.com
