Congress has discreetly tucked two controversial provisions into the latest continuing resolution (CR), sparking criticism from across the political spectrum. Lawmakers have approved a pay hike for themselves and reinstated their ability to opt out of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare. Both measures, buried deep within the voluminous spending bill, highlight the ongoing debate over congressional privileges and accountability.
Since 2009, Congress has blocked its own cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), embedding prohibitive language in federal spending bills. While other government employees have benefited from annual COLA increases, members of Congress voluntarily froze their pay, ostensibly in recognition of public frustration with government inefficiency and gridlock.
However, this freeze is now being lifted. A provision on page 15 of the new CR quietly reverses the 15-year-old policy, allowing Congress members to receive a COLA for the first time in over a decade. For years, some lawmakers have argued that stagnant salaries deter talented individuals from pursuing public office, a claim critics dismiss as tone-deaf, considering the $174,000 base annual salary for members of Congress.
To address cost-of-living concerns, Congress in 2022 implemented a reimbursement program for lodging and meal expenses incurred by lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Yet, many argue that these measures are insufficient. A Congressional Research Service report estimates that had members received annual COLA adjustments, their 2024 salaries would stand at $243,300—nearly a $70,000 increase over their current pay.
The timing of the pay adjustment has not gone unnoticed, with critics calling it inappropriate as the government faces economic challenges, mounting national debt, and public disapproval of Congress’s performance.
Perhaps more contentious is the CR’s provision allowing members of Congress to exempt themselves from the Affordable Care Act. Originally, the ACA required lawmakers and certain federal officials to use the same health insurance exchanges as the general public, a measure intended to hold them accountable for the policy’s successes or failures.
The new CR enables members to revert to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), a system many argue offers superior coverage compared to ACA exchanges. This exemption marks a sharp departure from the ACA’s spirit of equality and accountability, reigniting debates about Congress insulating itself from policies it imposes on ordinary Americans.
This exemption was notably absent in earlier drafts of the CR. It appeared unexpectedly in the final version of the bill, released late Tuesday evening. The sudden inclusion caught even some key Democrats by surprise, raising questions about the legislative process and transparency.
Unsurprisingly, these provisions have drawn widespread criticism. Good-government groups and fiscal watchdogs have decried the moves as tone-deaf and self-serving. “At a time when Americans are struggling with inflation, high healthcare costs, and economic uncertainty, Congress has chosen to prioritize its own benefits over the needs of its constituents,” one critic remarked.
Opposition is not limited to outside observers. Some rank-and-file members of Congress have expressed discomfort with the optics of these changes. One Republican lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “It’s hard to go back to my district and explain why Congress needs a pay raise or why we’re backing out of Obamacare when so many of my constituents are stuck with it.”
This is not the first time Congress has faced scrutiny for perceived double standards. From insider trading scandals to special perks like subsidized cafeterias and travel allowances, lawmakers have long been criticized for enjoying privileges unavailable to ordinary Americans. The addition of these provisions to the CR only adds to this perception of elitism.
For many, the pay raise and Obamacare opt-out reinforce the idea that Congress is out of touch with the struggles of everyday citizens. With approval ratings for Congress consistently hovering near historic lows, these latest moves are unlikely to improve public perception.
As the CR progresses toward final approval, the backlash against these provisions is likely to intensify. While lawmakers argue that the pay increase and healthcare exemption are necessary to attract and retain talent in public office, critics see them as yet another example of Congress placing its interests above those of the American people.
In the midst of economic challenges and growing disillusionment with government, these self-serving provisions may further erode trust in Congress at a time when transparency and accountability are needed most.
