Lawmaker: We Deserve a Pay Raise

Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., has made a career out of sticking up for Executive Branch employees, consistently fighting for pay raises and other benefits to support the federal workforce.

In the twilight of his congressional career, however, the 23-year lawmaker is turning his attention to the Legislative Branch, and concerning himself with a different group’s pay: his own.

In an interview with CQ Roll Call, Moran – who will retire at the end of 2014 -- said members of Congress, whose base pay is $174,000 annually, do not make enough money.

“I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid,” Moran said. “I understand that it’s widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world.”

He added many members “can’t even afford to live in Washington,” and many lawmakers live in “small little apartment units” or in their offices. Moran said he plans to introduce an amendment to the appropriations bill for the Legislative Branch to provide legislators their first raise since 2009.

He concedes, however, the provision is not likely to prove popular.