Retiring lawmakers are once again complaining that their $174,000 salary is too low

Tue, 04/30/2024 - 12:03

Former Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado — Former Rep. Ken Buck said if he were still in office, his voters would "go ballistic" if he said $174,000 wasn't enough for members of Congress to live on.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Retiring lawmakers are once again saying that their $174,000 salary isn't enough.
Several have said that there should be adjustments for inflation and cost-of-living increases.
Their salary hasn't changed in 14 years, and some find it difficult to maintain two residences.

It's funny what happens when lawmakers decide to retire: Suddenly, they're willing to say things that they wouldn't have said when they still had to face voters.