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• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [May 5, 2017]

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  "When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. The criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected are complex. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report is intended to address questions that arise frequently related to the topic of government shutdowns. However, the report does not closely track developments related to the appropriations process for a given fiscal year."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Glassman, Matthew . . .

  2017-05-05
• Women in Congress: Statistics and Brief Overview [Updated January 31, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "As of January 28, 2022, 149 women are serving in the 117th Congress. There are 125 women serving in the House (including 3 Delegates and the Resident Commissioner), 92 Democrats and 33 Republicans. There are 24 women in the Senate, 16 Democrats and 8 Republicans. Initially, at the beginning of the 117th Congress, there were 148 women, and since then this number has fluctuated as two House Members resigned; five House Members took their respective oaths of office in February 2021, April 2021, June 2021, November 2021, and January 2022; one Senator resigned; and one Senator's appointed term expired. [...] This report includes historical information, including the number of women in Congress over time; means of entry to Congress; comparisons to international and state legislatures; records for tenure; firsts for women in Congress; women in leadership; tallies of African American, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and American Indian women in Congress; and a brief overview of research questions related to the role and impact of women in Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Shogan, Colleen J., 1975- . . .

  2022-01-31
• Legislative Branch: FY2011 Appropriations [June 2, 2011]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open World Leadership Program. […] Previously, the FY2010 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act provided $4.656 billion for FY2010 legislative branch operations, and the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act provided $4.4 billion. In FY2009, an additional $25 million was provided for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.4 P.L. 111-32, the FY2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, also contained funding for the police radio system ($71.6 million) and Congressional Budget Office ($2 million). […] The Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 112-10) provides $4.54 billion for legislative branch activities for FY2011. This act continues funding and language contained in the FY2010 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-68), unless otherwise specified, and includes an across-the-board rescission of 0.2%."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2011-06-02
• Legislative Branch: FY2013 Appropriations [June 6, 2012]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2013 budget request of $4.512 billion, which is submitted to the President by the legislative branch agencies and entities and included in the budget without change, was submitted to Congress on February 13, 2012. The request represents an increase of $205.5 million over the $4.307 billion in discretionary funding provided in Division G of the FY2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2055, P.L. 112-74), which was enacted on December 23, 2011."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2011-06-06
• Congressional Salaries and Allowances [December 4, 2012]

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  "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, available life and 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. These allowances cover official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between a Member's district or state and Washington, DC, and other goods and services. Third, the report lists the salaries of Members, House and Senate officers and officials, and salary limits for committee staff."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2012-12-04
• Support Offices in the House of Representatives: Roles and Authorities [February 5, 2013]

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  "Article I of the Constitution, in Sections 2 and 3, authorizes the House of Representatives and Senate to choose their own officers. The number of such congressional support personnel, as well as their specific responsibilities, is left to the discretion of the chambers. Over time, both chambers have authorized a number of offices that assist them, collectively or individually, in their work. […] This report is an overview of the different roles performed and the organizational authorities that govern the 'daily operations' offices in the House of Representatives. Certain entities that assist both the House and Senate, like the Architect of the Capitol, Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, Office of Compliance, the Office of the Attending Physician, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and the Congressional Research Service (CRS), are included in this report, although the focus here is on their services to the House. The report is organized by function, with sections on offices supporting legislative duties; administrative, operational, and financial offices; legal and regulatory offices; ceremonial and historical offices; and security offices. Offices with responsibilities in more than one area are addressed in successive sections. More detailed information on select offices is also available in additional CRS products identified throughout."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-02-05
• Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals [November 1, 2011]

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  "The leaders of the legislative branch agencies and entities-the Government Accountability Office, the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service, the Government Printing Office, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance-are appointed in a variety of manners. Four agencies are led by a person appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate; two are appointed by Congress; one is appointed by the Librarian of Congress; one is appointed by a board of directors. Congress has periodically examined the procedures used to appoint these officers with the aim of protecting the prerogatives of, and ensuring accountability to, Congress within the framework of the advice and consent appointment process established in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. This report contains information on the legislative branch agency heads' appointment processes, length of tenures (if terms are set), reappointment or removal provisions (if any), salaries and benefits, and most recent appointments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2011-11-01
• Legislative Branch: FY2010 Appropriations [August 3, 2011]

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  "The House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a markup on July 7, 2011, which was followed by a full committee markup on July 13. The full committee ordered reported a $3.3 billion bill, H.R. 2551 (H.Rept. 112-148). This total represents a $227 million, or 6.4%, reduction from the FY2011 level. [...] The House passed the bill, as amended, on July 22 (Roll no. 629; 252-159). The Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees both held hearings during which Members considered the FY2011 legislative branch requests. Among issues that were considered during hearings were the following: (1) the potential for flat or reduced funding levels, including the effect on agency operations, plans for various budget scenarios, and potential efficiencies; (2) security plans and costs, especially for Members and district offices; (3) expenses for legal services related to the Defense of Marriage Act following Attorney General Eric Holder's February 23, 2011, letter to Speaker John Boehner regarding the President's determination that Section 3 of this act is unconstitutional and the Speaker's March 9, 2011, announcement that the House General Counsel was directed to initiate a legal defense of this law; (4) the role of the Government Printing Office in the digital age; and (5) status of current Architect of the Capitol projects and timing of renovations. Previously, P.L. 111-68 (enacted October 1, 2009) provided $4.656 billion for FY2010. The FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-212) provided an additional $12.96 million for the Capitol Police. The FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-8, enacted on March 11, 2009) provided $4.4 billion for legislative branch activities. In FY2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) provided an additional $25 million for the Government Accountability Office, and the FY2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 111- 32) provided $71.6 million for the new U.S. Capitol Police radio system and $2 million for the Congressional Budget Office."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2011-08-03
• Legislative Branch: FY2011 Appropriations [June 15, 2011]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open World Leadership Program. […] The Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees both held hearings during which Members considered the FY2011 legislative branch requests. Among issues that were considered during hearings were the following: -the potential for flat or reduced funding levels, including the affect on agency operations, plans for various budget scenarios, and potential efficiencies; -security plans and costs, especially for Members and district offices; -expenses for legal services related to the Defense of Marriage Act following Attorney General Eric Holder's February 23, 2011, letter to Speaker John Boehner regarding the President's determination that Section 3 of this act is unconstitutional and the Speaker's March 9, 2011, announcement that the House General Counsel was directed to initiate a legal defense of this law; -the role of the Government Printing Office in the digital age; and -status of current Architect of the Capitol projects and timing of future renovations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2011-06-15
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [Updated August 18, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2020-08-18
• African American Members of the U.S. Congress: 1870-2020 [Updated July 23, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "In total, 162 African Americans have served in Congress. This total includes [1] 152 African Americans (146 Representatives and 6 Delegates) elected only to the House of Representatives; [2] 9 African Americans elected or appointed only to the Senate; and [3] 1 African American who has served in both chambers. [...] Most recently, the 116 th Congress began with the highest number of African American Members ever at the start of a Congress: 57 (52 Representatives, 2 Delegates, and 3 Senators). Other information in this report includes the following: [1] Numbers of African Americans who have served in Congress by party and type of service; [2] Numbers of African Americans who have served in each Congress since 1870; [3] Numbers of African Americans who have served in the House and Senate by state, district, or territory; [4] Means of entry to Congress, including regular elections, special elections, and appointments; [5] Brief background and selected data on the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC); [6] Lists of selected 'firsts' for African Americans in Congress; [7] Lists of the African Americans who have served in leadership; [8] Records for length of service in the House and Senate; and [9] Lists of the African American women in the 116 th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.; Manning, Jennifer E.

  2020-07-23
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2020 [Updated August 18, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "The automatic annual adjustment for Members of Congress is determined by a formula using a component of the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures rate of change in private sector pay. The adjustment automatically takes effect unless (1) Congress statutorily prohibits the adjustment; (2) Congress statutorily revises the adjustment; or (3) the annual base pay adjustment of General Schedule (GS) federal employees is established at a rate less than the scheduled increase for Members, in which case the percentage adjustment for Member pay is automatically lowered to match the percentage adjustment in GS base pay. Under the ECI formula, Members may not receive an annual pay adjustment greater than 5%. In the past, Member pay has been frozen statutorily in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. This adjustment formula was established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. Votes potentially related to the annual adjustments since the implementation of this act are contained in this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2020-08-18
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [Updated August 13, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Members of the House of Representatives have one consolidated allowance, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), with which to operate their offices. The MRA was first authorized in 1996 and was made subject to regulations and adjustments of the Committee on House Administration. Representatives have a high degree of flexibility to use the MRA to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, and individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent. [...] This report provides a history and overview of the MRA and examines spending patterns in recent years."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2020-08-13
• Support Offices in the House of Representatives: Roles and Authorities [Updated June 23, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "This report is an overview of the relationships among, and different roles and functions performed by, the 'daily operations' offices in the U.S. House of Representatives. The organizational authorities are also addressed. Certain entities shared with the Senate, like the legislative support agencies, are included in this report, although it focuses whenever possible on their service to the House. Offices with responsibilities in more than one area are addressed in successive sections. More detailed information on select offices is available in additional Congressional Research Service products identified throughout."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2020-06-23
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [January 30, 2017]

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  "This report provides a history and overview of the MRA [Members' Representational Allowance] and examines spending patterns in recent years. The data exclude non-voting Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, as well as Members who were not in Congress for the entirety of the session. Information is provided on total spending and spending for various categories, including personnel compensation; travel; rent, utilities, and communications; printing and reproduction; other services; supplies and materials; equipment; and franked mail. The data collected demonstrate that, despite variations when considering all Members, many Members allocate their spending in a similar manner, and spending allocation patterns have remained relatively consistent over time."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2017-01-30
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [Updated September 3, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Members of the House of Representatives have one consolidated allowance, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), with which to operate their offices. The MRA was first authorized in 1996 and was made subject to regulations and adjustments of the Committee on House Administration. Representatives have a high degree of flexibility to use the MRA to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, and individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2019-09-03
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [September 27, 2017]

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  "Members of the House of Representatives have one consolidated allowance, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), with which to operate their offices. The MRA was first authorized in 1996 and was made subject to regulations and adjustments of the Committee on House Administration. Representatives have a high degree of flexibility to use the MRA to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, and individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent. The appropriation for the MRA decreased from a high in FY2010 of $660.0 million to $554.7 million in FY2014, FY2015, and FY2016. The FY2017 House-passed bill (H.R. 5325) would have increased this level by $8.3 million, to $562.6 million (+1.5%). Although H.R. 5325 was not enacted, this level was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31), which was enacted on May 5, 2017. The House-passed version of the FY2018 bill (H.R. 3219) would continue the FY2017 level (-14.8% from the FY2010 peak level)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2017-09-27
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [June 22, 2015]

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  "Members of the House of Representatives have one consolidated allowance, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), with which to operate their offices. The MRA was first authorized in 1996 and was made subject to regulations and adjustments of the Committee on House Administration. Representatives have a high degree of flexibility to use the MRA to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, and individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent. […] This report provides a history and overview of the MRA and examines spending patterns over selected years--2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2012. The data exclude non-voting Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, as well as Members who were not in Congress for the entirety of the session. Information is provided on total spending and spending for various categories, including personnel compensation; personnel benefits; travel; rent, utilities, and communications; printing and reproduction; other services; supplies and materials; transportation of things; equipment; and franked mail. The data collected demonstrate that, despite variations when considering all Members, many Members allocate their spending in a similar manner."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-06-22
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [January 8, 2019]

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  "Congressional office spending has been a regular topic of interest to academics, interest groups, newspapers, and constituents for many years. It is a topic frequently mentioned in newspaper articles that address individual Member spending or generally discuss financial accountability among elected officials, and it has been examined by watchdog organizations and interest groups covering congressional spending on internal operations generally. A few scholars have also examined how Members typically spend their office allowances, analyzing spending within broader theories of representation. Individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent. Factors affecting spending include the tenure or interests of the Member, levels of casework, geography, unexpected events, and even the congressional calendar."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2019-01-08
• U.S. Capitol Police: Brief Background [January 12, 2021]

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  From the Document: "The U.S. Capitol Police [USCP] is a department within the legislative branch with security, protection, and administrative responsibilities. The USCP is responsible for law enforcement and security within the Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol building, the Capitol Visitor Center, Capitol grounds, the House and Senate office buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, Capitol Police buildings, Library of Congress buildings, and adjacent grounds. The USCP performs these roles in coordination with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms. The House and Senate Sergeants at Arms are charged with maintaining order in their chambers, and they each perform a number of law enforcement, security-related, decorum, and protocol duties. The House and Senate have each had an elected Sergeant at Arms since 1789."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2021-01-12
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2018 [April 11, 2018]

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  "The automatic annual adjustment for Members of Congress is determined by a formula using a component of the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures rate of change in private sector pay. The adjustment automatically takes effect unless (1) Congress statutorily prohibits the adjustment; (2) Congress statutorily revises the adjustment; or (3) the annual base pay adjustment of General Schedule (GS) federal employees is established at a rate less than the scheduled increase for Members, in which case the percentage adjustment for Member pay is automatically lowered to match the percentage adjustment in GS base pay.2 Under the ECI formula, Members may not receive an annual pay adjustment greater than 5%. In the past, Member pay has been frozen statutorily in two ways: (1) directly, trough legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. This adjustment formula was established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. Votes potentially related to the annual adjustments since the implementation of this act are contained in this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2018-04-11
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [April 11, 2018]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Member pay has since been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2018-04-11
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [January 9, 2018]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Member pay has since been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009. At that time, their salary was increased 2.8%, to $174,000. This freeze represents a decrease of 12% from 2009 through 2017 when adjusted for inflation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2018-01-09
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [October 27, 2014]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. In the past, Member pay has been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and recent adjustments. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-10-27
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2015 [December 23, 2015]

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  "The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress 'ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.' Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule (GS) federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Under this revised process, annual adjustments were accepted 13 times (scheduled for January 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009) and denied 12 times (scheduled for January 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016). Since January 2009, the salary for Members of Congress has been $174,000. Subsequent adjustments were denied by P.L. 111-8 (enacted March 11, 2009), P.L. 111-165 (May 14, 2010), P.L. 111-322 (December 22, 2010), P.L. 112-175 (September 28, 2012), P.L. 112-240 (January 2, 2013), P.L. 113-46 (October 17, 2013), P.L. 113-235 (December 16, 2014), and P.L. 114-113 (December 18, 2015). A third method for adjusting Member pay is congressional action pursuant to recommendations from the President, based on the recommendations of the Citizens' Commission on Public Service and Compensation established in the 1989 Ethics Reform Act. Although the Citizens' Commission was to have convened in 1993, it did not and has not met since then."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-12-23
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [September 17, 2015]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. In the past, Member pay has been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and actions and freezes since the last pay adjustment in 2009. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-09-17
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [December 23, 2015]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Member pay has since been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-12-23
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2013 [February 3, 2014]

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  "The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress 'ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.' Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Under this revised process, annual adjustments were accepted 13 times (scheduled for January 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009) and denied eleven times (scheduled for January 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014). In the 113th Congress, bills have been introduced to alter the adjustment procedure, reduce the pay of Members of Congress, extend the current pay freeze, prohibit pay during a government shutdown, and apply any sequester to Member pay. Since January, 2009, the salary for Members of Congress has been $174,000. Subsequent adjustments were denied by P.L. 111-8 (enacted March 11, 2009), P.L. 111-165 (May 14, 2010), P.L. 111-322 (December 22, 2010), P.L. 112-175 (September 28, 2012), P.L. 112-240 (January 2, 2013), and P.L. 113-46 (October 17, 2013)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-02-03
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [June 8, 2015]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. In the past, Member pay has been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and actions and freezes since the last pay adjustment in 2009. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-06-08
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [September 24, 2013]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-09-24