Congressional Salaries and Allowances
October 28, 2009 - RL30064
This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress, limits on their outside earned income and honoraria, and applicable health insurance and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Third, the report lists the salaries of congressional officers and officials and salary limits for committee staff. Sources are hearings, reports, debates, and language of regular annual and supplemental legislative branch appropriations acts; the U.S. Code and U.S. Code Annotated Supplements to Title 2; latest Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, implementing a pay increase for House employees, effective January 1, 2009, issued January 9, 2009 (contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a); latest Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate employees, effective January 1, 2009, issued March 12, 2009 (contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-1); the Members' Congressional Handbook (web edition), prepared by the Committee on House Administration, for Members and staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, available at http://cha.house.gov/members_handbook.aspx; ...