Members of Congress earned $174,000 per year in 2025, a salary unchanged since 2009 despite inflation reducing its purchasing power by roughly one-third. Congress has power to adjust its own compensation, but the 27th Amendment, ratified in 1992, imposes a constraint: "No law, varying the compensation for the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened." Any pay raise Congress votes itself doesn''t take effect until after the next House election.
The amendment was written to address perceived abuse of congressional pay raises. The Framers intended Congress to adjust its pay to match inflation and maintain the office''s appeal to qualified candidates. Without adjustment, real congressional compensation continues declining. Congress could vote a pay raise now that takes effect after 2026 elections, but members fear voter backlash and have consistently refused to act.
Congressional pay attracts wealthy candidates who can afford to serve and those with wealthy donors. Lower salaries make the job less accessible to people without independent wealth. This dynamic shapes the economic background of Congress and can privilege candidates with family money or strong fundraising networks.
Congressional compensation determines who can afford to serve. Lower pay excludes talented people who need their Congressional salary to live. Higher pay attracts broader candidate pools but requires surviving the political pressure of voting oneself a raise.
People often think Congress regularly votes itself raises. In reality, congressional pay has been frozen for 16 years. Congress could raise its pay, but faces intense political pressure not to, so compensation hasn''t kept pace with inflation.
Congressional compensation determines who can afford to serve. Lower pay excludes talented people who need their Congressional salary to live. Higher pay attracts broader candidate pools but requires surviving the political pressure of voting oneself a raise.
People often think Congress regularly votes itself raises. In reality, congressional pay has been frozen for 16 years. Congress could raise its pay, but faces intense political pressure not to, so compensation hasn''t kept pace with inflation.