Lost in all the news from Washington today, was the $3,100 Cost Of Living Adjustment the members of the House and Senate gave themselves today. Their pay now rises to $165,200 a year.
The news was easy to miss because it was not mentioned on the floor of either the House or the Senate. The COLA was buried in a $140 billion bill providing funding for transportation and housing. It passed the House 392 - 31. It passed in the Senate on a voice vote.
Lawmakers receive an automatic cost of living unless congress votes to block it. The Senate did approve measure to block the COLA earlier this year, but was omitted from the compromise measure when it came up for final approval.
On the same day our lawmakers raised their own salary, Republican members of the House managed to cut the deficit by limiting spending on food stamps, Medicaid, student loans and other programs. Yes, they are attacking the deficit by attacking programs that benefit those who don't normally get a yearly COLA.
Don't worry about your tax cut. Majority leader Roy Blunt assured worried rich people, the Republican tax cut bill would be at the top of the Republican agenda when they return after the Thanksgiving Recess. Whew, that's a relief!
It really would have been bad form to shaft the poor and working people while handing tax breaks to investors and the more affluent on the same day. Just think of the symbolism!