The Republicans are at the head of the Senate. Donald Trump's party regained control on Tuesday, after swinging West Virginia and Ohio. A valuable advantage in the political game, while the upper house of Congress votes on federal laws, appoints and dismisses members of the executive or even confirms the appointment of the president and federal judges.
How much are the 100 senators paid to carry out their duties? The lawmaker's annual salary has jumped since 1789, when the Senate came into existence. At the time, a senator only earned $6 a day.
The amount of the annual salary of senators is 174,000 dollars per year (approximately 162,000 euros), like that of members of the House of Representatives, to which a supplement may be added in the event of liability.
The leaders of the majority, the Democrat Chuck Schumer until now, and the minority, previously the Republican Mitch McConnell, thus receive 193,400 dollars per year (around 180,000 euros). The President of the Senate receives $223,500 per year (around 208,000 euros), notes CBS News. A report from the Congressional Research Service, however, estimates that senators actually earn 29 percent less than in 2009, due to inflation.
This amount has not changed since 2009, legislators having not decided to increase it. “A salary change must be done through a bill or joint resolution, both presented to the president for signature. Thus, the president could veto a bill changing House salaries if he deems it inappropriate,” says a 2019 report from the Congressional Institute.
Across the United States, this salary remains twice as large as the median household income, amounting to $82,207, according to MotioResearch.
In addition to their salaries paid by the government during their six years in office, American senators benefit from benefits, such as health insurance coverage, retirement pensions, and an annual allowance to cover office expenses. and staff. A provision passed by Congress in late 2022 allows lawmakers to request reimbursement for gas, food and lodging expenses while on official trips to Washington, the equivalent of a $34,000 tax-free pay raise, according to the New York Times.
