The Nation - News from June 1, 1988

A law that gave Congress a $12,000 pay raise last year is constitutional, a federal appeals court ruled. The 3-0 ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia supported a lower court decision last year on the Federal Salary Act. The appellate court said the 1967 law is constitutional because it gives Congress the ability to disapprove salary recommendations by the President. The 1987 increase brought congressional pay to $89,500, although members of the leadership in both houses are paid more. Opponents had contended that the act violated the Constitution, which says lawmakers should establish their salaries by passing a law. The current act calls for convening of a salary commission every four years to make a recommendation to the President, who then submits a pay plan to Congress.