The record-setting partial government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, continues to drag on, meaning hundreds of thousands of federal employees are being asked to work without pay or to stay home. But members of Congress are still collecting paychecks.
It’s in the Constitution, as The Washington Times reported last year at this time, during a different shutdown: “Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution allows the lawmakers to still get paid their salaries, despite the federal government being shut down due to their inability to reach an agreement.”
Just how much do members of Congress bring home?
They’ve been receiving an annual salary since 1855, when they were paid $3,000 per year. Currently, “the compensation for most Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico is $174,000,” the Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports, with a few exceptions. They also receive retirement, health and other benefits.
Here’s a breakdown of the annual salary of members, officers and officials of the House. Salaries have not gone up since 2009, CRS notes.
Speaker of the House: $223,500
Majority and Minority Leaders: $193,400
All other Representatives (including Delegates and Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico): $174,000
Chief Administrative Officer: $172,500
Clerk of the House: $172,500
Sergeant at Arms: $172,500
Chaplain: $172,500
Legislative Counsel: $172,500
Law Revision Counsel: $172,500
Parliamentarian: $172,500
Inspector General: $172,500
Director, Interparliamentary Affairs: $172,500
General Counsel to the House: $172,500
Here’s a breakdown of the annual salary of members, officers and officials of the Senate:
President pro tempore: $193,400
Majority and Minority Leaders: $193,400
All other Senators: $174,000
Secretary of the Senate: $172,500
Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper: $172,500
Legislative Counsel: $172,500
Legal Counsel: $172,500
Parliamentarian: $171,315
Chaplain: $160,787
Not all members of Congress are accepting pay during the shutdown. More than 70 say they’re refusing their salaries while the stalemate continues, CNN reports, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts). She tweeted on January 1 that she would be donating her salary to HIAS, a nonprofit that helps refugees.
Over 7,000 people in Massachusetts have been sent home or are working without pay during the #TrumpShutdown. Until @realDonaldTrump re-opens the government, I'm donating my salary to @HIASrefugees, a nonprofit that helps refugees and makes our country stronger in the process.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 1, 2019
And Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas tweeted on January 10 that he couldn’t “in good conscience get paid while federal employees’ financial futures hang in the balance because of this partial government shutdown. I’ve asked the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold my pay until we have come to an agreement to adequately fund border security.”
I cannot in good conscience get paid while federal employees’ financial futures hang in the balance because of this partial government shutdown. I’ve asked the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold my pay until we have come to an agreement to adequately fund border security. pic.twitter.com/2g37vAAtx2
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) January 10, 2019
Just what IF this is a trail run to see just how many people that can be let go . Most government office are way over staffed . We can no longer pay for big government
Or what if it was a trial-run to see what we’d do in the beginning stages of collapse?
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Article 1, Section 6 states no such thing, just more lies to justify their corruption.
Correct. They added to it via the 27th. Allegedly.