U.S. Congressional Salary and Perks

Congressional Salary Rank and File Members: (2008): $169,300 per year (2009): Projected: $174,000 Majority and Minority Leaders: (2008): $188,100 per year Speaker of the House: (2008): $217,400 per year Pro Tempore of Senate: (2008): $217,400 per year

Limits to Congressional Pay Congress sets it’s own salary by passing a law Congress may get a “cost of living” pay increase each year (government pay increase) 27 th Amendment (1992): “No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened” Presidential Veto: President may reject bill (Veto pay increase) and send it back to Congress Congress may override veto by 2/3 vote

Other Perks: Housing allowance Staffing allowance: (home state and Washington D.C.) Travel allowance: 6 free round trip flights back to home state each year Medical Insurance and Health Care Food Allowance (per day) Franking Privilege: free mailing of newsletters Retirement Pension after one term Fitness center, haircuts, framing, ice, subway

Legislative Immunity Article I Section 6: “They shall in all cases, except for Treason, Felony and breach of Peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place” Legislators are generally immune from being arrested for misdemeanors Legislators are generally immune from being sued for comments or speeches they make even if its slander