Though working as a public official may not be the highest paying job in the world, a recent report of how much legislators make compared to average Americans may prove surprising.
According to the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, the average lawmaker makes about three times more than what the typical wage earner in the country makes each year. For example, when including fringe and employee benefits, members of Congress have an annual salary of about $286,000. That's exactly 3.4 times more than the average income of $50,875 for a full-time employee per year.
"With a $16.7 trillion debt and a Congress poised to miss another budget deadline on September 30, it is confusing why members of Congress are still among the best compensated employees in America," said David Williams, president of the TPA. "If Congress is serious about fiscal responsibility, the first cut should be to their salaries."
He added that steps ought to be taken swiftly to roll back some of the salaries and benefits given to lawmakers. In fact, if salaries were cut from $174, 000 to $100,000, taxpayers could save themselves $39 million per year.
Next year, when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act goes into full effect, legislators will have to get their health coverage through the insurance marketplaces that are established in their states. However, thanks to adjustments made by the Office of Personnel Management, the government can continue to pay for the health plans of lawmakers and those who work for them. This provision exempts them from the added costs of the ACA.
"The government contribution for an employee who enrolls in a health benefit plan offered through an exchange … shall be calculated in the same manner as for other employees and annuitants," according to the revised guidelines.
