50% Raise Would Put Congress Far Ahead of Most Counterparts

The 50% pay raise of $45,500 that members of Congress expect to find under their pillows this week will put them far ahead of their counterparts in Paris, Bonn and London but will not quite match the salaries paid legislators in Tokyo.

A Washington Post survey ranks members of Japan’s Diet first, with annual salaries equivalent to $143,139. In addition, Japanese legislators receive tax-free supplements of $72,000 a year for political activities, plus $50,500 as salaries for two staff members.

But the $135,000 salaries that Congress will begin drawing unless the House votes to refuse them are far larger than those paid in three leading parliaments of Western Europe.

Members of the West German lower house, the Bundestag, are paid $57,837, plus tax-free allowances of $33,080 to cover office costs, accommodations in Bonn and meals. They are also entitled to reimbursement of up to $60,577 for parliamentary expenses.

Members of the French lower house, the National Assembly, are paid $52,560, plus residence subsidies, expense allowances and pay for office help that add up to another $90,002.

Members of the British House of Commons get $43,393, plus allowances of $40,658 to cover all office expenses and staff pay.

In contrast, each U.S. House member receives $431,760 for staff salaries, plus an average of $148,000 in expenses reimbursed, according to Congressional Quarterly.