Members of the Senior Executive Service may get a raise after a four year pay freeze.
House Minority Leader Gephardt acknowledged Thursday that House GOP and Democratic leaders are considering a pay raise for members of Congress. Senior executives' pay is tied to Congress' pay.
Gephardt's comments followed a meeting Wednesday night attended by Gephardt, Speaker Gingrich and other top House leaders.
According to the Associated Press, that session included a discussion of a cost-of-living increase for House members, who have not received a salary hike since 1993. While current law gives legislators automatic cost-of-living increases, members of Congress in recent years have voted to block the politically sensitive hike.
Thursday, Gephardt said the discussion also involved whether to ease the ban imposed 18 months ago against accepting such items as meals and tickets to entertainment events. An alternative under discussion would replace the ban with Senate rules allowing gifts worth up to $50.
On the pay raise, Gephardt said he is sounding out Democratic members, adding, "We'll just have to see where we are. I have no idea what the sentiments will be."
The current base salary for a member of Congress is $133,600.
The salary cap for senior executives, including locality pay, is $123,100.
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