US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared, for the second time in December, that the maximum cap on the rate of pay for House staffers shall be raised.
On Friday, Pelosi ordered an increase to the maximum rate that lawmakers in the lower chamber can pay House employees, raising it to $212,000 per year.
In a report published by New York Post, it was revealed that the “move now puts the maximum salary for House aides at $38,000 more than what lawmakers on Capitol Hill make themselves.”
Early 2022, the departing House Speaker declared an
official increase in pay rates from $199,300 to $203,700 and even issued the minimum salary pay of $45,000 for every House staff.
Despite Pelosi’s intent, the House speaker’s decision caused public criticism, prompting her to defend her decision.
In a statement released by Pelosi, she claimed that her decision will help the Congress to retain the quality staff who might potentially look for outside opportunities from private employers.
Pelosi also wrote in a letter to House lawmakers that “as you know, our hard-working, patriotic congressional staffers are integral to the functioning of the House of Representatives.”
The House speaker also added that “to that end, we must do all we can to retain and recruit the best talent in our nation — and to build a congressional workforce that reflects the communities we are honored to serve.”
“In 2021, Pelosi raised the maximum salary for House staff to $199,300. The salary cap was raised again in May to $203,700, at which point the speaker also instituted a minimum salary of $45,000 for staffers,” New York Post report reads.
“Rank-and-file members of Congress make $174,000 a year. Members of congressional leadership make slightly more, with Pelosi earning $223,500 per year as speaker of the House. The raise in the salary cap for staff may be one of Pelosi’s final acts as speaker.” Pelosi added.
Last May, Pelosi claimed that her initiative to increase the pay rate would help expand the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives among the staff.
According to the Congressional Progressive Staff Association study, 47 percent of congressional employees reportedly struggled to make ends meet.
“Pelosi is gearing up for her final days in D.C., making her exit after she was caught bragging about the Democrat’s huge spending bill, which President Joe Biden just signed from his fancy St. Croix vacation,” Town Hall reported.
Pelosi’s decision came after she declared that she would be stepping down from her position.
“As speaker of the House, I have awesome power. As I’m transitioning to a different, new role, I expect to have a strong influence. But not on my members but just in terms of encouraging more women, for example, to run. The speaker of the House is a very big job and just wrapping it up will take time,” Pelosi said in a statement.
