Reagan Asks 15% Pay Hike for Cabinet Aides, Congress

President Reagan proposed a 15% pay hike for members of Congress and deputy Cabinet officials in his new budget released today--substantially less than the 74% increase proposed by a special commission on federal salaries last month.

Reagan’s proposal, which also includes raises for the vice president--from $100,800 to $115,000--and federal judges, comes at a time of austere budget constraints and is sure to spark political controversy during the first month of Congress.

The boost for federal judges would be from $81,100 to $89,500, while the Cabinet officials would go from $88,800 to $99,500.

The recommended increases, which would raise the salary of most members of Congress from $77,400 to $89,500, will take effect in 30 days unless Congress votes against them. Lawmakers received a 3% cost-of-living increase earlier this month, boosting their salaries from $75,100 to $77,400. Certain members of the congressional leadership earn more.

Chances of rejecting the proposed pay hike are slim in the House, where a special task force is unlikely to report a resolution of disapproval and where procedural rules would make scuttling the pay hike difficult. Opposing the increase might be easier in the Senate where rules are more flexible.

In addition, Reagan proposed replacing federal workers’ pay increases based on seniority with merit raises to “give federal employees stronger incentives to improve service delivery.” Federal employees also received a 3% cost-of-living adjustment this month.