Welcome News On Staff Pay
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement this afternoon regarding plans to de-couple staff compensation from that paid to senators and representatives:
“I welcome the Speaker’s announcement today to de-link Member and Congressional staff pay, allowing hard-working Congressional employees to make higher salaries and improving Congress’ ability to retain the best and brightest staff serving the American people.
“For years, I have called for this policy change that will give Members the ability to pay their employee’s salaries commensurate with their experience, and ensure positions in public service are able to compete with the private sector for specialized and talented staff.
“Empowering congressional staff through increased pay and improved benefits will allow our body to better serve the American people with diverse and talented employees, both on Capitol Hill and in district offices, who have the institutional knowledge and understanding of Congressional processes.
Hoyer’s comments followed the announcement of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that the cap on what can be paid to an individual Hill aides is being lifted to $199,000. That move marks the first time an aide would be allowed to make more than the representative for whom he or she works.
Pelosi’s decision does not apply to aides working on the Senate side.