Order Code RL30064
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Congressional Salaries and Allowances
Updated August 5, 2004
Paul E. Dwyer
Specialist30, 2007
Ida A. Brudnick
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
Congressional Salaries and Allowances
Summary
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, and applicable 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 as Members. Their allowances include those for official office expenses, staff,
mail, and other allowances and services.
Third, the report provides the salaries and allowances available to the Speaker
of the House and the Vice President, as President of the Senate, and lists the salaries
lists the salaries of congressional officers and officials and
committee staff.
Sources are hearings, reports, debates, and language of regular annual and
supplemental legislative branch appropriations acts; currentthe U.S. Code and U.S. Code
Annotated Supplements to Title 2; latest available Order of the Speaker of
the House
of Representatives, implementing a pay increase for House employees,
effective January 1, 2004, issued January 3, 2004, and changed by a second order
retroactive to effective
January 1, 20042006, issued February 3, 2004December 18, 2005 (to be contained in 2 U.S.C.
60a-2a, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated, 2005
supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a to be printed in spring 2005 60a-2a, and
currently available at [http://uscode.house.gov]); latest publicly available
Order of
the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate
employees, effective issued
January 1, 2003, issued December 19, 2002, and amended
March 27, 2003 (see4, 2006 (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, and currently available at
[http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S.
Code Annotated, 2004 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1; House]); the Members’
Congressional Handbook (2004web edition),
prepared by the Committee on House
Administration, [http://www.house.gov/cha/nhandbookbody1.htm#1]; the U.S. Code;
the U.S. Code Annotated; and quarterly Statement of Disbursements of the House,
Administration, for Members and staff of the
U.S. House of Representatives, available at [http://cha.house.gov/index.php?option
=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=37]; the quarterly Statement of
Disbursements of the House, compiled by the House Chief Administrative Officer, January 1, 2004, to March 31,
2004 (108th Congress, 2nd
April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2007 (110th Congress, 1st session, H.Doc. 108-179110-52, part 2 of 2, pp. 3473-3487); and
3
of 3, pp. 3421-3435); and the Office of Personnel Management for executive level
pay rates to which some
legislative employees are statutorily linked.
This report will be updated as information is made available.
Contents
Compensation of Members of Congress and Related Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Outside Earned Income and Honoraria Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Tax Deductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Health and Life Insurance Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Health Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Retirement Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances for U.S. Representatives . . . . 2
House Allowance System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Personnel Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Official Office Expenses Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Official Mail Allowance (Franking Privilege) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Other Allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Public Document Envelope AllowanceGovernment Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Travel Allowance for Organizational Caucuses or Conferences . . . . . . 56
Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances for U.S. Senators . . . . . . . . . . 6
Senate Allowance System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Personnel Allowances: Administrative and Clerical Assistance and
Legislative Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Administrative and Clerical Assistance Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Legislative Assistance Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Official Office Expense Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Official Mail Account . .Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Other Allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Senate Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Office Space in States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mobile Office Space for Senators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Furniture and Furnishings in Washington, DC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Furniture and Furnishings in State Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Office Equipment in Washington, DC, and State Offices . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Compensation and Allowances of the Vice President (As President of the
Senate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Expense Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Compensation and Allowances of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Expenses and Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Compensation Government Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Compensation of Other Congressional Officers and Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1110
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1110
Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1211
Compensation of Standing Committee Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1312
Congressional Salaries and Allowances
Compensation of Members of Congress
and Related BenefitsBenefits1
Compensation
Compensation is $158,100165,200 per annum for Representatives and Senators.
Outside Earned Income and Honoraria Limits
Permissible outside earned income for Representatives and Senators is limited
to 15% of their salary.12 Certain types of outside earned income however are
prohibited.23 A Member may not receive compensation for affiliating with or being
employed by a firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity providing
professional services involving a fiduciary relationship; allowing his/her name to be
used by such a firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity; practicing
a profession involving a fiduciary relationship; serving as a member or officer of the
board of an association, corporation, or other entity; and teaching without prior
notification to and approval of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, in the case of
Senators, or the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, in the case of
Representatives.
Representatives and Senators are also prohibited from accepting honoraria. The
acceptance of honoraria was prohibited by Senators effective August 14, 1991.
Senators who earned honoraria prior to that date were entitled to retain their earnings.
Tax Deductions
Members are allowed to deduct, for income tax purposes, living expenses up to
$3,000 per annum, while away from their congressional districts or home states.
11
This report was originally written by Paul E. Dwyer, formerly a Specialist in American
National Government at CRS, who has since retired. The listed author updated the report
and is available to answer questions concerning its contents.
2
Outside earned income generally includes monetary wages, salaries, fees, and any other
sums received as payment for personal services rendered.
23
Members may not receive compensation for affiliating with a firm, partnership,
association, corporation, or other entity providing professional services involving a fiduciary
relationship; allowing his/her name to be used by a firm, partnership, association,
corporation, or other entity; practicing a profession involving fiduciary relationships;
serving as a member or officer of the board of an association, corporation, or other entity;
and teaching without prior notification and approval of the Senate Select Committee on
Ethics, in the case of Senators, or the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct,
in the case of Representatives.
CRS-2
Tax Deductions
Members are allowed to deduct, for income tax purposes, living expenses up to
$3,000 per annum, while away from their congressional districts or home states.4
Health and Life Insurance Provisions
Health Insurance. Members are eligible to participate in the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program and may select from among several health
benefit plans. Participation is on a voluntary, contributory basis.
Life Insurance. Members are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees
Group Life Insurance Program. The amount of coverage for personal insurance is
determined by a formula based on the coverage elected.
Retirement Provisions
Various options are available to Members regarding participation in the Civil
Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Participation in Social Security is mandatory for Members.35
Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances
for U.S. Representatives
House Allowance System
Representatives have one allowance available to support them in their official
and representational duties to the districts from which they were elected. This
allowance is the Members’ representational allowance, comprising three individual
allowances, each of which has a separate authorized dollar limit. The three
allowances are personnel, official office expenses, and official (franked) mail.
The personnel allowance component is the same for each Member. The office
expenses and mail allowances components vary from Member to Member due to
variations in the distance between a Member’s district and Washington, DC, for the
mileage allowance, cost of office space in his or her district for the space allowance,
and number of non-business addresses in his or her district for the mail allowance.
4
See CRS Report RL30868, Tax Rules and Rulings Specifically Applicable to Members Of
Congress, by John R. Luckey.
5
See CRS Report RL30631, Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress, by Patrick
Purcell.
CRS-3
In calendar year 2007
In calendar year 2004, the Members’ representational allowances range from
$1,152,825 to $1,686,5220.4262,065 to $1,600,539.6 Appropriations allocated for each allowance can be
used used
to pay expenses from any of the three allowances. Allowances are authorized
from from
January 3 of each year through January 2 of the following year.
These allowances are authorized in statute and are regulated and adjusted by the
Committee on House Administration. Funding is provided under a single
3
See CRS Report RL30631, Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress, by Patrick
Purcell.
4
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, as compiled by the Chief
Administrative Officer, from Jan. 1, 2004, to Mar. 31, 2004, part 2 of 2, H. Doc. 108-179,
108th Cong., 2nd sess., (Washington: GPO, 2004), pp. 3474-3487.
CRS-3
appropriations heading, “Members’ Representational Allowances,” within the House
account “Salaries and Expenses.”
All personnel, office, and official mail expenses reimbursed to or on behalf of
a Member are reported in the quarterly Statement of Disbursements of the House.
Personnel Allowance
The personnel allowance is available for employment of staff in a
Representative’s Washington, DC, and district offices.
Each Member was entitled to an annual personnel allowance of $778,993 in
2004831,252 in
2007 for no more than 18 permanent employees.57 As many as four additional
employees may be designated by the Member, but need not be counted as permanent
employees, if they fall into one of the following categories:
(1) part-time employees;
(2) employees drawing compensation from more than one employing authority
of the House;
(3) interns receiving pay;
(4) employees on leave without pay; and
(5) temporary employees.
EmployeesPursuant to a Pay Order issued for 2006, employees’ salaries are set at annual
rates of not more than $153,022.6159,828.8
Official Office Expenses Allowance
The official office expenses allowance is available to pay ordinary and necessary
business expenses incurred in support of official and representational duties to the
district from which a Member has been elected.
A base allowance of $187,236 was authorized to each Member in 2004.7 There
are two allowances in addition to the base allowance:
(1) a sum for travel based on the following formula: 64 times the rate per mile
(see table below) multiplied by the mileage between Washington, DC, and
5
Ibid., p. 3229.
6
6
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, as compiled by the Chief
Administrative Officer, from April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2007, part 3 of 3, H.Doc. 110-52,
110th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 2007), pp. 3421-3435.
7
8
Ibid., p. 3421.
U.S. Congress, House, Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
implementing a pay increase for House employees, effective Jan. 1, 2004, issued Jan. 3,
2004, and changed by a second order retroactive to Jan. 1, 2004, issued Feb. 3, 2004 (to be
January 1, 2006, issued
December 18, 2005 (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated,
2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, to be printed in spring 2005).
7
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, as compiled by the Chief
Administrative Officer, from Jan. 1, 2004 to Mar. 31, 2004, part 2 of 2, H. Doc. 108-179,
108th Cong., 2nd sess., (Washington: GPO, 2004), pp. 3474-3487.
CRS-4
the furthest point in a Member’s district,8 plus 10%. The rates per mile
that apply are as follow and available at
[http://uscode.house.gov].
CRS-4
A base allowance of $194,980 was authorized for each Member in 2007.9 There
are two allowances in addition to the base allowance:
(1) a sum for travel based on the following formula: 64 times the rate per mile
(see table below) multiplied by the mileage between Washington, DC, and
the furthest point in a Member’s district,10 plus 10%. The rate per mile
used to calculate the 2007 allowance was as follows:
Mileage Between Washington, DC, and
the Furthest Point in a Member’s
District
Rate Per
Mile
Fewer than 500 miles
$ .96
500 to 749 miles
.86
750 to 999 miles
.66
1,000 to 1,749 miles
.60
1,750 to 2,249 miles
.51
2,250 to 2,499 miles
.48
2,500 to 2,999 miles
.43
3,000 miles or more
.36
The minimum mileage amount is $6,200 for a Member.
(2) the dollar equivalent to 2,500 square feet multiplied by the applicable
rental rate per square foot charged federal agencies by the administrator of
the General Services Administration in a Member’s district.
The official office expenses allowance may be used for travel, office equipment
lease, district office rental, stationery (paper, envelopes, and other supplies),
telecommunications, printing, postage, computer services, and other expenses.
The representational allowance is not to be used to defray any personal,
political, or campaign-related expenses. A Member also may not use campaign funds
to pay for expenses related to his or her official and representational duties; may not
use committee funds to pay for official representational expenses; may not use an
unofficial office account to support official and representational duties; accept from
a private source any in kind assistance with a monetary value for an official activity;
and may not use personal funds to pay for franked mail.
A Member is responsible for personally paying for any official and
representational expenses that are in excess of his or her representational allowance
or that are not reimbursable under regulations of the Committee on House
Administration.9
8
9
Distance is based on the Rand McNally Standard Highway Mileage Guide.
For more details, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on House Administration,
Members’ Congressional Handbook (regulations governing Members’ representational
allowances), 2004 [http://www.house.gov/cha/mchandbook.html].
CRS-5
9
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, as compiled by the Chief
Administrative Officer, from April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2007, part 3 of 3, H.Doc. 110-52,
110th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 3421.
10
Distance is based on the Rand McNally Standard Highway Mileage Guide.
CRS-5
A Member is responsible for personally paying for any official and
representational expenses that are in excess of his or her representational allowance
or that are not reimbursable under regulations of the Committee on House
Administration.11
Official Mail Allowance (Franking Privilege)
Representatives are authorized the privilege of sending mail as franked mail in
the conduct of official business to assist them in their duties as Members of
Congress. Requirements on the use of the frank and mass mailings are established
in statute and the regulations and rules of the House. Use of the frank is the personal
responsibility of each Representative.1012
The franked mail postage allowance is based on a formula in which the rate of
a single piece of first class mail is multiplied by three, and the resulting figure is
multiplied by the number of non-business addresses in a Representative’s district.1113
The Committee on House Administration set the 2007 official mail allowance for each
each Member at 45% of the calculation based on the above formula.1214 The
allowance may
be used to pay the costs of first, third, or fourth class franked mail.
It may not be
used to pay for certain specified mailing costs, for example, express
mail.1315
Since the official mail allowance is combined with the personnel and office
expenses allowances, there is no limit on the amount of money a Member can spend
on franked mail from the combined allowances.
Other Allowances
Public Document Envelope AllowanceGovernment Publications. Each Representative is entitled
to an allowance of 40,000 brown or white “Public Document” envelopes per month,
imprinted with the Representative’s frank. The allowance is cumulative during the
two sessions of Congress. to receive
certain government publications and printed products. These include, for example,
copies of the daily Congressional Record, one copy of Deschler’s Precedents,
various manuals and directories, and public document franked envelopes.16
11
For more details, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on House Administration,
Members’ Congressional Handbook (regulations governing Members’ representational
allowances). The web edition is available at [http://cha.house.gov/index.php?option
=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=37].
12
See [http://cha.house.gov/services/memberhandbook.htm#110].
13
The number of addresses is determined by the postmaster general. The number is not to
include business delivery stops.
14
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, as compiled by the
Chief Administrative Officer, from April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2007, part 3 of 3, H.Doc. 11052, 110th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 3421.
15
Regulations on the proper use of the frank are set by the House Commission on
Congressional Mailing Standards.
16
For additional information, see “Information Services for Members of Congress,” GPO
(continued...)
CRS-6
Travel Allowance for Organizational Caucuses or Conferences.
Each Member-elect and one designated staff person who attend an organizational
caucus or conference are to be paid for one round trip each between their places of
residence in the district and Washington, DC, for the purpose of attending such
caucus or conference. Each incumbent Member reelected to the ensuing Congress
and one designated staff person who attend an organizational caucus or conference
also receive this allowance.
Each Member-elect (other than an incumbent Member reelected to the ensuing
Congress) who attends such a caucus or conference is also authorized to be
reimbursed on a per diem or other basis for expenses incurred in connection with
attendance.
10
See [http://www.house.gov/cha/mchandbook.html#110].
11
The number of addresses is determined by the postmaster general. The number is not to
include business delivery stops.
12
U.S. Congress, House, Statement of Disbursements of the House, compiled by the Chief
Administrative Officer, from Jan. 1, 2004, to Mar. 31, 2004, p. 3473.
13
Regulations on the proper use of the frank are set by the Committee on House
Administration and the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
CRS-6
Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances
for U.S. Senators
Senate Allowance System
Senators have three official allowances available to them for personnel and
official office expenses. They are the administrative and clerical assistance
allowance, the legislative assistance allowance, and the official office expense
allowance. The administrative and clerical assistance allowance and the office
expense allowance are governed by formula and authorized limits. The legislative
Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances
for U.S. Senators
Senate Allowance System
Senators have three official allowances available to them for personnel and
official office expenses. They are the administrative and clerical assistance
allowance, the legislative assistance allowance, and the official office expense
allowance.
The administrative and clerical assistance allowance and the office expense
allowance are governed by state population, distance from Washington, DC, to home
states, and committee authorized limits. The administrative and clerical allowance
varies for each Senator since it is based on state population. The office expense
allowance also varies for each Senator due to the travel allowance component, which
is based on the distance between Washington, DC, and their home state, and the mail
allowance component, which is based on the number of addresses in their states. The
legislative assistance allowance is a set amount for all Senators.
The total amount available to a Senator is the totalsum of the two personnel
allowances (administrative and clerical assistance and legislative assistance) and the
office expenses allowance combined. Within this limit, a Senator is permitted to use
funds as he or she determines, subject to the regulations applicable to official mail.14
The personnel allowances vary for Senators based on their states’ population
sizes. Their travel allowance is dependent upon the distance between Washington,
DC, and their home state. Their mail allowance is based on the number of addresses
in their states. These allowances range from $2,264,345 to $3,751,995 for FY2004,
dependent upon the factors previously discussed.15
All three allowances are funded together in a single appropriation subaccount
“Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account,” within the appropriation
account “Contingent Expenses of the Senate.”
The combined account is available to support only the official duties of
Senators. The account is not to be used to defray any personal, political, or
campaign-related expenses. Senators are responsible for payment of any expenses
incurred in support of official duties that exceed the set allowances of the individual
expense allowance. In FY2006, the total of the three allowances available for
Senators ranged from $2,528,193 to $4,111,381 depending on the factors discussed
above.17
16
(...continued)
Publication 250.4, January 2007, pp. 2-3, available at [http://www.gpo.gov/congressional/
pdfs/InformationService.pdf], last accessed August 13, 2007.
17
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2006, report to accompany H.R. 2985, 109th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 109-89, June 24, 2005
(Washington: GPO, 2005), pp. 20-21. More recent figures will be provided as they are made
available.
CRS-7
All funds made available to each Senator for the three allowances can be
interchanged by the Senator. For example, funds available for office expenses can
be used to pay office personnel salaries, and visa versa. Interchanges are limited by
official mail regulations that are issued by the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration.18 The three allowances are funded together in a single appropriation
subaccount “Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account,” within the
appropriation account “Contingent Expenses of the Senate.”
Appropriations are available to support only the official duties of Senators, and
appropriations are not to be used to defray any personal, political, or campaignrelated expenses. Senators are responsible for payment of any expenses incurred in
support of official duties that exceed the set allowances of the individual accounts.
All personnel, office, and official mail expenses reimbursed to or on behalf of
a Senator are required to be published in the semiannual Report of the Secretary of
the Senate.
14
Regulations applicable to official mail are set by the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration.
15
Source is U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch
Appropriations, 2004, report to accompany S. 1383, 108th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 108-88,
July 10, 2003 (Washington: GPO, 2003), pp. 19- 20. The allowance was increased effective
Jan. 1, 2003, pursuant to an Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase
for Senate employees, effective Jan. 1, 2003, issued Dec. 19, 2002, and amended Mar. 27,
2003 (see 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated,
2004 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1).
CRS-7
Personnel Allowances: Administrative and Clerical
Assistance and Legislative Assistance
Two personnel allowances are available for each Senator to use for staff
employment in his or her Washington congressional office and home state office(s).Personnel Allowances: Administrative and Clerical
Assistance and Legislative Assistance
Two personnel allowances are available for each Senator to use for staff
employment in his or her Washington congressional office and home state office(s).
Under the 2006 Order of the President pro Tempore, each Senator was authorized to
set the rates of compensation for staff in his or her personal offices at a figure not to
exceed $160,659 per person.19
Administrative and Clerical Assistance Allowance. The administrative
and clerical assistance allowance is allocated according to the population of a
Senator’s state. In FY2004FY2006, the allowance variesvaried from $1,685,301926,936 for a Senator
representing a state with a population under 5,000,000 to $2,833,7183,170,602 for a Senator
representing a state with a population of 28,000,000 or more.16
Each Senator was authorized to set the rates of compensation for staff in his or
her personal offices at a figure not to exceed $150,159 per person in calendar year
2003.1720
Legislative Assistance Allowance. In FY2004FY2006, each Senator is authorized
$450,477was
authorized $472,677 to appoint up to three legislative assistants, to be paid a
maximum of $157,559 each per annum.21
18
Ibid., p. 19
19three legislative assistants.18 In calendar year 2003, the
maximum annual rate of pay was limited to $150,159.19
Official Office Expense Allowance
Senators are authorized the use of an official office expense allowance for
official Senate business. Each Senator’s account varies depending upon factors used
in setting the individual allowance amounts. These factors are primarily the distance
between Washington, DC, and the home state, the population of the state, and the
official mail allocation. In FY2004, allowances range from $128,567 to $467,800
16
Ibid.
17
Source is Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate
employees, effective Jan. 1, 2003, issued Dec. 19, 2002, and amended Mar. 27, 2003 (see
issued January 4, 2006, (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated, 2004
supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1). This figure will be revised for this report when the President
pro tempore’s order implementing the 2004 pay increase is publicly available in the U.S.
Code Annotated, 2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, to be printed in spring 2005.
18 and currently
available at [http://uscode.house.gov]).
20
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations
Bill, 2004,
2006, report to accompany S. 1383, 108thH.R. 2985, 109th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 108-88, July 10, 2003109-89, June 24, 2005
(Washington: GPO, 2003), p. 19.
19
Source is Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate
employees, effective Jan. 1, 2003, issued Dec. 19, 2002, and amended Mar. 27, 2003 (see
2 U.S.C. 60a-1, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated, 2004
supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1). The figure will be revised for this report when the President
pro tempore’s order implementing the 2004 pay increase is publicly available in the U.S.
Code Annotated, 2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, to be printed in spring 2005.
CRS-8
annually.20 2005), pp. 20-21.
21
Ibid., pp. 20-21.
CRS-8
Official Office Expense Allowance
Senators are authorized the use of an official office expense allowance for
official Senate business. Each Senator’s account varies depending upon factors used
in setting the individual allowance amounts. These factors are primarily the distance
between Washington, DC, and the home state, the population of the state, and the
official mail allocation. In FY2006, allowances ranged from $128,580 to $468,102.22
The office expense account is to be used only for official office expenses
by a
Senator and his or her employees.
Official Mail AccountAllowance
Senators are authorized the privilege of sending mail as franked mail in the
conduct of official business to assist them in their duties as Members of Congress.
Requirements on the use of the frank and mass mailings are established in statute,
regulations and rules of the Senate, and interpretative rulings of the Senate Ethics
Committee. Each Senator is authorized a specific dollar allocation for franked mail,
largely based on the number of addresses in his or her state. This amount is combined with
each Senator’s official office expense allowance. For FY2004, the official mail
allocations range from $31,746 to $298,850.21
Other Allowances
Senate Interns. Senators may employ interns during the academic year and
during the summer. Senators determine their own financial arrangements for interns.
Office Space in States. Each Senator is authorized to secure, in an amount
determined by law, suitable office space in federal building(s) in the state he or she
represents. In the event suitable office space is not available in a federal building, a
Senator is authorized to lease privately owned office space. The cost of private space
is not to exceed the highest rate per square foot charged by the General Services
Administration (GSA). The aggregate square footage of office space that can be
secured for a Senator ranges from 5,000 square feet, if the population of the state is
less than 3,000,000, to 8,200 square feet, if the state’s population is 17,000,000 or
more.2223 There is no restriction on the number of offices.
Mobile Office Space for Senators. Each Senator is entitled to lease one
mobile office for use only in the state he or she represents. Senators are authorized
to be reimbursed for rent and nonpersonnel costs of operating the office. There are
limitations on the terms of the lease, the maximum annual rental payment, and
reimbursable operating costs. No reimbursement is to be made for expenses incurred
during the 60 days preceding a contested election.24
Furniture and Furnishings in Washington, DC. Each Senator is
authorized furniture and furnishings from an approved list. Furniture and furnishings
are supplied and maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (for spaces in Senate
22
Ibid.
23
2 U.S.C. 59(b).
24
2 U.S.C. 59(f).
CRS-9
office buildings) and the Senate Sergeant at Arms (for offices in the Capitol).
Additional furnishings can be purchased through the Senate stationery store.
20
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2004, report to accompany S. 1383, 108th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 108-88, July 10, 2003
(Washington: GPO, 2003), pp. 19- 20
21
22
Ibid.
2 U.S.C. 59(b).
CRS-9
Furniture and Furnishings in State Offices. Each Senator is authorized
$40,000 for state office furniture and furnishings for one or more offices, if the
aggregate square footage of office space does not exceed 5,000 square feet. The base
authorization is increased by $1,000 for each authorized additional incremental
increase in office space of 200 square feet.23 Law provides that25 Under the FY2000 Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, this allowance is to
be automatically increased at the beginning
of each Congress to reflect inflation.26
The aggregate dollar amount is the maximum dollar value of furniture and
furnishings to be checked out from GSA stock furnishings
to be provided by GSA for state office use at any one time.
Furniture and furnishings
remain GSA property.
Office Equipment in Washington, DC, and State Offices. Each
Senator may use certain basic office equipment allocated in accordance with the
population of the state he or she represents and other factors that have been stipulated
by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
Compensation and Allowances of the
Vice President (As President of the Senate)
Compensation
Compensation is $203,000 per annum.
Expense Allowance
The annual allowance of $20,000 is not taxable or allowable as a deduction
when the Member is reimbursed for actual expenses incurred.24
Salaries
Appropriation is $ 2,028,000 for FY2004.25
Retirement
Retirement benefits, based on age and length of service, as well as prior military
and federal government service, are available to the Vice President, upon application.
23
2 U.S.C. 59(c)(2).
24
2 U.S.C. 111; P.L. 108-83, 117 Stat. 1007, Sept. 30, 2003, FY2004 Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act.
25
P.L. 108-83, 117 Stat. 1007, Sept. 30, 2003, FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act.
CRS-10
Compensation and Allowances of the Speaker of
the House of Representatives
Compensation
Compensation is $203,000 per annum.
Expenses and Salaries
Appropriation is $2,630,000 for FY2004,26 including $25,000 for official
expenses of the Speaker. This amount is available in addition to any other benefits
the Speaker receives as an elected Member of the House.
Personnel
The Speaker is allowed personnel as needed as Speaker, in addition to the
personnel allowance received as a Representative.
Retirement
The Speaker, as a Member of the House, is eligible to receive the same
retirement benefits as a Member. A former Speaker is provided federal office space,
equipment, furnishings, and staff for five years after leaving office.27
26
P.L. 108-83, 117 Stat. 1015, Sept. 30, 2003, FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act.
27
See CRS Report RS20099, Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking
Privileges, and Staff Assistance, by Paul E. Dwyer.
CRS-11
Compensation of Other Congressional Officers
and Officials
House of Representatives28
28
Majority and Minority Leaders
$175,700 per annum
Chief Administrative Officer
$156,600 per annum
Clerk of the House
$156,600 per annum
Sergeant at Arms
$156,600 per annum
Legislative Counsel
$156,600 per annum
Law revision Counsel
$156,600 per annum
Parliamentarian
$156,600 per annum
Inspector General
$156,600 per annum
General Counsel to House
$156,600 per annum
Chaplain
$156,600 per annum
The majority and minority leaders are paid at the same rate of pay as federal officials in
Level I of the Executive Schedule [2 U.S.C. 31 and 2 U.S.C. 362; P.L. 101-194, 103 Stat.
1766, Nov. 30, 1989, Title VII, sec. 701(i)]. Executive Schedule Level I positions include
cabinet-level officials. Source for other positions is U.S. Congress, House, Order of the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, implementing a pay increase for House employees,
effective Jan. 1, 2004, issued Jan. 3, 2004, and changed by a second Order retroactive to Jan.
1, 2004, issued Feb. 3, 2004 (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, [http://uscode.house.gov/
usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated, 2000 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, to be printed in
spring 2005.
CRS-12
Senate29
Majority and Minority Leaders
Secretary of the Senate
Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper
Legislative Counsel
Senate Legal Counsel
Parliamentarian
President pro tempore
($203,000 per annum when there is no
Vice President in 2004)
Chaplain
$175,700 per annum (in 2004)
$153,200 per annum (in 2003)
$153,200 per annum (in 2003)
$153,200 per annum (in 2003)
$153,200 per annum (in 2003)
$152,015 per annum (in 2003)
$175,700 per annum (in 2004)
$137,000 per annum (in 2004)30
Compensation of Standing Committee Employees
House of Representatives
The maximum salaries are $156,600 per annum for up to three staff members
(two majority and one minority); $155,095 per annum for up to nine staff members
(six majority and three minority);31 and a maximum of $153,019 for other staff.32
29
Exact official per annum salary rates for Senate officers and officials in 2004 are not yet
publically available. Usually the salaries of the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant at
Arms, the Legislative Counsel, and the Legal Counsel are the same as those paid to officers
and officials of the House, including the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative
Officer, Legislative Counsel, Law Revision Counsel, Parliamentarian, Inspector General,
General Counsel to House, and Chaplain, currently $156,600.
Source for salaries of officers and officials of the Senate in 2003 is the Order of the
President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate employees, effective Jan. 1,
2003, issued Dec. 19, 2002, and amended Mar. 27, 2003 (see 2 U.S.C. 60a-1,
[http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], contained in U.S. Code Annotated, 2004 supplement to
2 U.S.C. 60a-1. The 2003 figures will be revised for this report when the President pro
tempore’s order implementing the 2004 pay increase is publicly available in the U.S. Code
Annotated, 2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, to be printed in spring 2005.
The majority and minority leaders and the President pro tempore of the Senate are paid at
the same rate as federal officials in Level I of the Executive Schedule [2 U.S.C. 31 and 2
U.S.C. 362; P.L. 101-194, 103 Stat. 1766, Nov. 30, 1989, Title VII, Sec. 701(i)]. Executive
Schedule Level I positions include cabinet-level officials.
30
The Chaplain is paid the same as federal officials in Level IV of the Executive Schedule.
31
The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations may establish the salaries for
24 staff , seven of which are to be designed by the ranking minority party member.
32
Source is U.S. Congress, House, Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
implementing a pay increase for House employees, effective Jan. 1, 2004, issued Jan. 3,
(continued...)
CRS-13
Senate
The maximum salary in 2003 was $152,015 per annum.33
32
(...continued)
2004, and changed by a second order retroactive to Jan. 1, 2004, issued Feb. 3, 2004 (to be
contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm], and U.S. Code Annotated,
2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, to be printed in spring 2005.
33
Source is Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate
employees, effective Jan. 1, 2003, issued Dec. 19, 2002, and amended Mar. 27, 2003 (see
2 U.S.C. 60a-1, [http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm] and U.S. Code Annotated, 2004
supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1. This figure will be revised for this report when the President
pro tempore’s order implementing the 2004 pay increase is publicly available in the U.S.
Code Annotated, 2005 supplement to 2 U.S.C. 60a-1, to be printed in spring 2005
Government Publications. Each Senator is entitled to receive certain
government publications and printed products. These include, for example, copies
of the daily Congressional Record, one copy of Deschler’s Precedents, various
manuals and directories, and public document franked envelopes.27
25
2 U.S.C. 59(c)(2).
26
P.L. 106 — 57, 113 Stat. 412, September 29, 1999.
27
For additional information, see “Information Services for Members of Congress,” GPO
Publication 250.4, January 2007, pp. 2-3, available at [http://www.gpo.gov/congressional/
pdfs/InformationService.pdf], last accessed August 30, 2007.
CRS-10
Compensation of Other Congressional
Officers and Officials
House of Representatives28
28
Majority and Minority Leaders
$183,500 per annum
Chief Administrative Officer
$163,700 per annum
Clerk of the House
$163,700 per annum
Sergeant at Arms
$163,700 per annum
Legislative Counsel
$163,700 per annum
Law Revision Counsel
$163,700 per annum
Parliamentarian
$163,700 per annum
Inspector General
$163,700 per annum
Director, Interparliamentary Affairs
$163,700 per annum
Director, Emergency Planning,
Preparedness, and Operations
$163,700 per annum
General Counsel to House
$163,700 per annum
Chaplain
$163,700 per annum
In 2006, the majority and minority leaders were paid at the same rate of pay as federal
officials in Level I of the Executive Schedule [2 U.S.C. 31 and 2 U.S.C. 362; P.L. 101-194,
103 Stat. 1766, November 30, 1989, Title VII, sec. 701(i)]. Executive Schedule Level I
positions include cabinet-level officials. The Revised Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2007, [P.L. 110-5, 121 Stat. 8, February 15, 2007] denied an annual adjustment
in pay for Members of Congress, including the majority and minority leaders. For additional
information on the pay relationship between these positions, see CRS Report RS20388,
Salary Linkage: Members of Congress and Certain Federal Executive and Judicial
Officials, by Barbara L. Schwemle.
Source for other positions is U.S. Congress, House, Order of the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, implementing a pay increase for House employees, effective January 1,
2006, issued December 18, 2005 (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, and currently available
at [http://uscode.house.gov]). Estimates may also be obtained by examining the quarterly
Statement of Disbursements of the House.
CRS-11
Senate29
President pro tempore
($215,700 per annum if the position of
Vice President is vacant)
Majority and Minority Leaders
Secretary of the Senate
Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper
Legislative Counsel
Senate Legal Counsel
Parliamentarian
Chaplain
$183,500 per annum30
$183,500 per annum
$163,700 per annum
$163,700 per annum
$163,700 per annum
$163,700 per annum
$162,515 per annum
$145,400 per annum31
29
In 2006, the majority and minority leaders were paid at the same rate of pay as federal
officials in Level I of the Executive Schedule [2 U.S.C. 31 and 2 U.S.C. 362; P.L. 101-194,
103 Stat. 1766, November 30, 1989, Title VII, sec. 701(i)]. Executive Schedule Level I
positions include cabinet-level officials. The Revised Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2007, [P.L. 110-5, 121 Stat. 8, February 15, 2007] denied an annual adjustment
in pay for Members of Congress, including the majority and minority leaders. For additional
information on the pay relationship between these positions, see CRS Report RS20388,
Salary Linkage: Members of Congress and Certain Federal Executive and Judicial
Officials, by Barbara L. Schwemle.
The source for salaries of officers and officials of the Senate in 2006, excluding the
Chaplain, is the Order of the President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate
employees, issued January 4, 2006, (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-1 and currently
available at [http://uscode.house.gov]). Estimates may also be obtained by examining the
semi-annual Report of the Secretary of the Senate.
30
The President pro tempore is paid $215,700 (2007 rate) if there is a vacancy in the
position of Vice President. The U.S. Constitution provides that the Vice President shall
serve as President of the Senate, and that when the Vice President is absent from the Senate,
the President pro tempore presides in his place. During a vacancy in the position of the Vice
President, the President pro tempore is considered the temporary, full-time President of the
Senate and receives the increased salary rate (2 U.S.C. 32).
31
The Chaplain is paid the same as federal officials in Level IV of the Executive Schedule.
CRS-12
Compensation of Standing Committee Employees
House of Representatives
The maximum salaries for employees of committees, as established in the 2006
pay order, are $163,700 per annum for up to three staff members (two majority and
one minority); $161,997 per annum for up to nine staff members (six majority and
three minority);32 and a maximum of $159,828 for other staff.33
Senate
The maximum salary for employees of standing committees, as established in
the 2006 pay order, is $162,515 per annum.34
32
The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations may establish the salaries for
24 staff, seven of which are to be designed by the ranking minority party member.
33
Source is Order of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, implementing a pay
increase for House employees, effective January 1, 2006, issued December 18, 2005 (to be
contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-2a, and currently available at [http://uscode.house.gov]).
34
The source for salaries of officers and officials of the Senate in 2006 is the Order of the
President pro tempore, implementing a pay increase for Senate employees, issued January
4, 2006, (to be contained in 2 U.S.C. 60a-1 and currently available at
[http://uscode.house.gov]).