Democratic leaders push to boost congressional staff pay

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday made a push to increase the maximum pay for House staffers, saying salaries have become less competitive over time. 

“Many have been serving as Congressional staff for years out of a deep sense of duty, choosing not to pursue or accept competitive offers from the private sector in order to remain in public service,” the pair wrote in a letter to Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Legislative branch subcommittee Chairman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).

“Their commendable sacrifices and contributions ought to be met with the raises and benefit increases they have surely earned through their hard work and dedication,” they wrote.

In the letter, they requested a 20 percent increase for Members’ Representational Allowance funds, the amount allotted to offices and committees to conduct official business and pay staff. 

Funding for staff salaries has not increased in line with inflation, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the cost of living and housing have soared in recent years. 

“In our experience, House staff generally prefer working in public service and would remain on Capitol Hill longer if they no longer felt that their only option to afford the cost of living in the Washington metro area and achieve economic security in the middle class is to leave and pursue more lucrative positions in the private sector or the executive branch,” they wrote. 

Staff salaries are also capped at the earnings levels members of Congress receive, an issue that itself has led to serious controversies. 

Hoyer led a failed push to increase congressional pay along cost-of-living lines in recent years, but the efforts languished amid concerns of a backlash.

They also noted that efforts to diversify staff on Capitol Hill were hampered by low pay, which people from wealthier families can navigate more easily than those from poorer backgrounds. 

The same thinking has led Congress to provide funding for paid internships in recent years.