What happened to the Congressional Pay Raise for 2007?

Question

And why does Yahoo Answers keep removing this question???? I've asked this question twice before, and it was removed both times! I just want to know if anyone has a credible source for whether the 2007 US Congress received their automatic pay raise or not. There was some talk by Democrat leaders that they would block it, but I haven't seen anything in the news since they actually took power. Did the Congress get the raise or not???

I don't think they deserve a pay raise, but my question was geared specifically at whether they got it or not, not whether they deserved it. I know it is automatic unless specifically prevented by legislation, but legislators Pelosi and Reid made a specific point of advertising their support before and after the election for legislation to preempt the raise. Then I didn't hear anything since the new year actually arrived...

Answer 1

There was supposed to be a Cost Of Living Adjustment of 1.7% but the Dems blasted the Republicans last year for it. This had been owing to the fact that they were getting pay raises while they would always deny the minimum wage increase to the rest of the country. It had been a talking point for the Democrats during the last election cycle, where they refused to take a pay increase while the minimum wage bill languished. This meant that no one got a pay raise. On Jan 30,2007, it seems as if it had been blocked but the Republicans had put some language into the budget to get it delayed instead of killed totally. Members were originally due to begin receiving a $2,800, annual increase Jan. 1. They had already lost about $320 with the delay to Feb. 16. If the delay expires and is not reinstated, it will mean that the congressional delegation will receive their pay raises starting on Feb 17.

Senate GOP Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., pressed for congressional pay hikes since his days as a member of the House Republican leadership. Lott expressed disappointment at the news, noting there's no shortage of wealthy lawmakers — such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Sen. Edward Kennedy — using the pay raise issue as a political sword.

Answer 2

They shouldn't get raises. The congress should pay 2 dollars over min. wage and only get paid for hours worked.

The pres and VP should get paid 30,000 / 22,000 a year. I think we might get someone that cared

Answer 3

What has happened is that they now don't have to vote themselves a raise. It happens automatically. Nice move congress.

Answer 4

To close to election time. Wait until after and then see.