Number: RS20388
Title: Salary Linkage: Members of Congress and Certain Federal Executive and Judicial Officials
Authors: Barbara L. Schwemle, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The salaries of Members of Congress, certain high-level federal officials (those paid at Level II of the Executive Schedule (EX)), and certain federal justices and judges generally have been in parity for many years. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 provides for annual pay adjustments to be established for the Members, the Vice President, federal officials paid under the EX Schedule, and federal justices and judges. The act also requires a Citizens' Commission on Public Service and Compensation and the President to recommend salaries in parity for these federal government positions. The commission has never been activated, and, thus, such recommendations have never been made. Legislation currently pending in the 110th Congress would provide pay increases of 28.7%-28.8% (S. 1638, as reported, amended, and H.R. 3753, as ordered to be reported, amended), and 16.5% (S. 2353, as introduced) over January 2008 salaries to justices and judges. S.Con.Res. 70, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY2009, as agreed to by the House and Senate, includes a provision at Section 229 on a deficit-neutral reserve fund for judicial pay.
Pages: 6
Date: October 21, 2008