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The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, the other being the Senate. The House consists of 435 members, each representing a congressional district for a two-year term. The House also has six non-voting delegates from the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The House has the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in case of an electoral college tie.
As a member of the House of Representatives, you may be wondering how much you earn and what benefits you receive. In this article, we will provide you with the full details of the salary and allowances of the House members in 2023, based on the official sources and reports.
Salary
As of May 4, 2023, the base salary for all members of Congress is $174,000. This amount has not changed since 2009, when Congress enacted a law to freeze its own pay. The Speaker of the House receives a higher salary of $223,500, while the majority and minority leaders receive $193,400 each.
The salary of members of Congress is determined by a formula that was established in the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. The formula provides for an annual adjustment based on the change in the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures the cost of labor for private industry workers. However, Congress can vote to reject or modify the adjustment, which it has done every year since 2010.
Members of Congress are also subject to certain limits or prohibitions on their outside earned income, honoraria, and tax deductions. For example, they cannot earn more than 15% of their congressional salary from outside sources, they cannot accept any honoraria for speeches or appearances, and they cannot deduct more than $3,000 for living expenses incurred in Washington, DC.
Allowances
In addition to their salary, members of the House receive allowances to support them in their official and representational duties. These allowances cover official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between a member’s district or state and Washington, DC, equipment, and other goods and services.
The allowances are structured differently for the House and the Senate. In the House, there are three main allowances: the Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA), the Official Expenses Allowance (OEA), and the Official Mail Allowance (OMA).
The MRA is the largest and most flexible allowance for House members. It covers personnel costs, official office expenses, and official travel expenses. The MRA varies by member based on three factors: the distance between a member’s district and Washington, DC; the cost of office space in a member’s district; and the number of non-business postal addresses in a member’s district. The MRA can be used to pay up to 18 permanent staff members and four additional staff members who perform certain services such as computer support or constituent services.
The OEA covers expenses related to stationery, flags, publications, telecommunications, printing and reproduction, furniture and furnishings, equipment leasing or purchase, equipment maintenance and repair, office supplies and materials, contractual services, and other miscellaneous items.
The OMA covers postage costs for official mail sent by House members within their districts. The OMA is calculated based on a formula that takes into account the number of addresses in a member’s district and a flat rate per piece of mail.
The total amount of these three allowances for each House member in 2023 is published in the Statement of Disbursements of the House, which is available online at house.gov. According to this document, the average MRA for 2023 is $1,446,009; the average OEA is $256,574; and the average OMA is $10,000. Therefore, the average total allowance for each House member in 2023 is $1,712,583.
Conclusion
Being a member of the House of Representatives comes with a significant amount of responsibility and influence. It also comes with a generous compensation package that includes a base salary of $174,000 and various allowances that cover official expenses. However, these benefits are also subject to public scrutiny and ethical regulations that aim to ensure accountability and transparency.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How often do members of Congress get paid? A: Members of Congress get paid monthly at the end of each month.
Q: How do members of Congress pay for health insurance? A: Members of Congress are eligible to enroll in health plans offered through health care exchanges established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). They also have access to medical services at military facilities in Washington, DC.
Q: How do members of Congress pay for retirement benefits? A: Members of Congress are covered by either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), depending on when they were first elected. They also participate in the Social Security system and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a defined contribution plan similar to a 401(k).
Q: How much do members of Congress make after they retire? A: The amount of retirement benefits for members of Congress depends on several factors, such as their age, length of service, and salary. The average annual pension for retired members of Congress who served in 2020 was $49,500.
Q: How many staff members can members of Congress hire? A: Members of Congress can hire up to 18 permanent staff members and four additional staff members who perform certain services. The salary limit for House staff in 2023 is $179,700.
Q: How much do members of Congress spend on travel? A: Members of Congress can use their MRA to pay for travel expenses related to their official and representational duties. The amount of travel expenses varies by member, depending on the distance and frequency of their trips. The average travel expenses for House members in 2020 was $23,000.
Q: How much do members of Congress spend on mail? A: Members of Congress can use their OMA to pay for postage costs for official mail sent within their districts. The amount of mail expenses varies by member, depending on the number and type of mailings. The average mail expenses for House members in 2020 was $9,000.
Q: How much do members of Congress spend on office space? A: Members of Congress can use their MRA to pay for office space in their districts. The amount of office space expenses varies by member, depending on the size and location of their offices. The average office space expenses for House members in 2020 was $235,000.
Q: How much do members of Congress spend on equipment and supplies? A: Members of Congress can use their MRA and OEA to pay for equipment and supplies for their offices. The amount of equipment and supplies expenses varies by member, depending on the type and quantity of items purchased or leased. The average equipment and supplies expenses for House members in 2020 was $110,000.
Q: How much do members of Congress spend on miscellaneous items? A: Members of Congress can use their MRA and OEA to pay for miscellaneous items that are necessary for their official duties. These items may include stationery, flags, publications, telecommunications, printing and reproduction, furniture and furnishings, contractual services, and other items. The amount of miscellaneous expenses varies by member, depending on the nature and purpose of the items. The average miscellaneous expenses for House members in 2020 was $44,000.
