A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

Senate Bill

S. 86

119th Congress

A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 14, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Rick Scott

Senator

Republican

FL

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Congress

Summary

This bill eliminates the automatic cost-of-living pay increases for Members of Congress, starting with the 120th Congress. Currently, congressional pay automatically increases based on the Employment Cost Index measuring private sector wages, capped at the General Schedule employee increase rate. This legislation would require Congress to explicitly vote on any future pay raises rather than receiving them automatically unless blocked.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill eliminates the automatic cost-of-living pay increases for Members of Congress, starting with the 120th Congress. Currently, congressional pay automatically increases based on the Employment Cost Index measuring private sector wages, capped at the General Schedule employee increase rate. This legislation would require Congress to explicitly vote on any future pay raises rather than receiving them automatically unless blocked.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

<p>This bill eliminates automatic increases to pay for Members of Congress, beginning with the 120th Congress. </p><p>Current law automatically increases Member pay according to a formula. The annual increase is (1) based on the percentage change in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI); and (2) capped at the percentage increase to General Schedule (GS) employees' base pay. The annual adjustment automatically goes into effect unless Congress modifies the increase in legislation.</p>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Eliminates automatic pay increases for Members of Congress beginning with 120th Congress
Ends the Employment Cost Index-based formula for congressional salary adjustments
Requires explicit congressional action for any future pay raises
Removes the automatic mechanism that currently defaults to increases unless blocked
Promotes greater transparency and accountability in congressional compensation

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For Members of Congress: Pay would only increase through explicit legislative action. For taxpayers: Greater control over congressional compensation through elected representatives votes. For government transparency advocates: More accountability as pay votes become public record. For federal budget: Potential savings if pay raises are not approved. For congressional staff: May set precedent for changes to other federal salary adjustment mechanisms.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Congress

Related Subjects

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Inflation and prices

Members of Congress

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

86, 119th Congress (2025). "A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-86