Have you seen those viral social media posts claiming Congress gave themselves a fat pay raise in the coronavirus stimulus package? I was pretty shocked when I first saw these claims circulating online – especially during a pandemic when so many Americans were struggling financially. Let’s dig into what’s really going on and separate fact from fiction.
The Viral Claim That Got Everyone Talking
Back in March 2020 social media was buzzing with outrage about alleged congressional pay raises hidden in the COVID-19 relief bill. One popular Facebook post claimed “The house voted no for senior citizens getting an extra $335.00 a year. They voted to give themselves an extra $8000.00 a month .” This post alone received approximately 54,000 shares!
Another widely-shared post alleged “Stimulus pkg. = $1200. Congress wants $25 million for raises. That’s $46,700 each. Now who’s thinking of You.” That one racked up more than 64,000 shares.
These claims got people understandably angry. I mean, who wouldn’t be upset thinking our elected officials were padding their own pockets while Americans were losing jobs and struggling to pay bills?
What The CARES Act Actually Included
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was indeed a massive $2 trillion package aimed at providing economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. And yes, it did include a provision allocating $25 million for “necessary expenses of the House of Representatives.”
But here’s where the viral claims went off track – this money wasn’t earmarked for congressional salaries at all
So Where Was That $25 Million Really Going?
According to Evan Hollander, a communications director for the House Appropriations Committee, the funding was designated to support the House’s capability to telework during the pandemic Specifically
- $10 million for the Sergeant at Arms
- $8.8 million for video town hall equipment and logistics
- $2 million for laptops for House committees
- $2 million for “Office Supply Store computer purchases”
- $1 million for 24-hour IT Customer Support
- $500,000 for additional equipment for computer imaging
In other words, this money was meant to help Congress adapt to remote work during the pandemic – not to pad their personal bank accounts.
How Congressional Pay Actually Works
This is where things get interesting. Members of Congress can’t actually give themselves an immediate pay raise even if they wanted to. Here’s why:
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Constitutional limitations: The 27th Amendment prohibits any changes to congressional salaries from taking effect until after the next election cycle.
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Automatic adjustments: Since the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, congressional pay adjustments happen automatically based on the Employment Cost Index (which tracks private-sector wage changes).
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Congressional salaries are paid directly from the Treasury: According to the Constitution, member salaries are paid directly from the Treasury, not from appropriations bills like the CARES Act.
Most members of Congress receive a salary of $174,000 (with exceptions for leadership positions like the Speaker of the House who makes $223,500). And interestingly, Congress had already prohibited their expected automatic 2.6% salary increase (about $4,600) for fiscal year 2020.
Fact-Checking Other Claims About Congressional Pay
While we’re on the topic, let’s address some other popular misconceptions about congressional pay that keep popping up:
Do Members of Congress Get Their Full Salary as Pension After One Term?
Nope! This is a persistent myth. Only senators are eligible for a pension after one term, and even then, it won’t be their full salary. The pension amount depends on years of service and other factors.
Did Congress Try to Give Themselves a 40% Raise Recently?
False again. In late 2024, Elon Musk (who was tapped by President-elect Trump to lead a committee on government waste) incorrectly claimed that Congress was trying to vote themselves a 40% raise. The maximum possible raise for 2025 would have been 3.8%, not 40%.
Have Congressional Salaries Increased by 231% in Recent Decades?
Not even close. A viral meme claimed members of Congress received a “231%” increase in pay over 30 years. The actual increase due to cost-of-living adjustments was about 94.4% from 1989 to 2009.
How to Spot Misinformation About Congressional Pay
With so many false claims circulating, here are some tips to avoid getting fooled:
- Check official sources: Look at the actual text of bills rather than relying on social media interpretations.
- Consider constitutional limitations: Remember that pay raises can’t take effect immediately due to the 27th Amendment.
- Follow reliable fact-checkers: Organizations like FactCheck.org and USA Today regularly investigate these claims.
- Be skeptical of outrage-inducing numbers: Claims about massive percentage increases or specific dollar amounts (like “$8,000 a month”) often don’t hold up to scrutiny.
Why These False Claims Spread So Easily
I think these types of claims resonate because they tap into a genuine frustration many Americans feel toward Congress. When approval ratings for Congress hover around historic lows, people are primed to believe the worst about their representatives.
The complexity of massive bills like the CARES Act (which was thousands of pages long) also makes it easier for misinformation to spread. Few people have the time or expertise to read and understand the entire document.
The Real Issues With Congressional Pay
While the specific claims about the stimulus bill were false, there are legitimate discussions to be had about congressional compensation:
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Should Congress be able to vote on their own pay? Even with the 27th Amendment delaying implementation, it’s an unusual arrangement.
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Automatic pay adjustments: The system of automatic adjustments based on the Employment Cost Index removes some direct accountability.
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Salary freezes: Congress has actually voted to freeze their salaries multiple times, including during the 2020 fiscal year.
The Bottom Line
The claim that Congress gave themselves a pay raise in the coronavirus stimulus bill is FALSE. The $25 million allocated for House expenses was designated for technology and logistical support to enable remote work during the pandemic – not for member salaries.
In fact, members of Congress cannot give themselves immediate pay raises due to constitutional constraints, and they had already frozen their automatic pay adjustment for fiscal year 2020.
So next time you see a viral post claiming Congress is lining their own pockets, take a moment to dig deeper. The truth is usually more nuanced than a snappy social media post suggests.
What Do You Think?
Have you seen other claims about congressional pay that seemed suspicious? Do you think the current system for determining congressional salaries makes sense? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
FAQs About Congressional Pay and Stimulus Bills
Did the $25 million in the CARES Act go to congressional salaries?
No. The funds were specifically allocated for technology and support services to enable remote work during the pandemic.
How are congressional pay raises determined?
Since 1989, adjustments happen automatically based on the Employment Cost Index, though Congress can (and often does) vote to freeze these increases.
Can members of Congress give themselves an immediate pay raise?
No. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits any change in congressional pay from taking effect until after the next election.
What is the current salary for members of Congress?
Most members receive $174,000 annually. Leadership positions receive higher salaries (Speaker: $223,500; Majority and Minority Leaders: $193,400).
Has Congress ever declined pay raises?
Yes, numerous times. They blocked the automatic adjustment for fiscal year 2020, for example.
Are there legitimate concerns about how congressional pay is handled?
Absolutely. While the viral claims were false, the system of automatic adjustments and Congress’s role in approving/denying these adjustments raises valid questions about accountability and transparency.
The claim: A provision in the coronavirus aid package gives pay raises to members of Congress
Even before the House passed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, rumors that representatives were using the legislation to give themselves a pay raise were circulating on social media.
On March 20, Facebook user Barbara Hendrixson posted a graphic claiming that “The house voted no for senior citizens getting an extra $335.00 a year. They voted to give themselves an extra $8,000.00 a month ”
The post received roughly 54,000 shares on Facebook and nearly 1,000 reactions.
A similar post by user Michael R. Marriott read “Stimulus pkg. = $1200. Congress wants $25 million for raises. Thats $46,700 each. Now whos thinking of You.” The post has more than 64,000 shares, more than 600 reactions and more than 400 comments.
The posts appear to be referencing language in the law which supports House “salaries and expenses” as well as other operations. USA TODAY reached out to both users for comment but did not receive a response from either.
There is no indication in the statutory language that the spending will support the salaries of members of the House of Representatives, and staff has confirmed the funds will be used for other purposes.
