The Nation : Most in Poll Oppose Officials’ Pay Raise

Overwhelming majorities of the public oppose the 50% pay increase for members of Congress, federal judges and Cabinet officers that is scheduled to take effect next month, according to a Washington Post poll. More than eight out of 10 in the survey of 1,006 randomly selected adults oppose raising the annual salary of members of Congress from $89,500 to $135,000, according to the survey. Almost as many--82%--rejected a $45,500 salary increase for federal district court judges. The proposed pay hike for Cabinet officers was the least popular among those surveyed. Nearly nine out of 10 people said they opposed raises that would increase a Cabinet secretary’s annual pay from $99,500 to $155,000. The pay increases, recommended earlier this month by the Commission on Executive, Legislative and Judicial Salaries, will be granted unless both houses of Congress reject the pay plan by Feb. 8.