Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) made headlines following an exchange with CNN reporter Manu Raju on Wednesday, after being informed that lawmakers could soon be receiving their first pay raise in over a decade. The proposed pay increase, which is part of a larger spending bill in Congress, has sparked mixed reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
The exchange began when Raju asked Durbin, “Members are giving themselves a pay raise. Do you guys deserve a pay raise?” Durbin’s response caught many off guard. “Well, that’s news to me. It’s good news,” he replied, clearly surprised by the information. He added, “You know what has it been 10 years or 14 years and no COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), no change at all? I think it’s about time something’s done.”
Durbin seemed genuinely unaware that the proposed pay raise was even being discussed in Congress, despite the fact that the provision is part of a bill that many lawmakers have been negotiating.
Raju, pressing him further, pointed out that many Americans might question why lawmakers should receive pay raises given their performance in Congress. “People look at the performance of Congress and say, ‘Why should we give them more money?’” Raju asked.
In response, Durbin turned the tables on the reporter, pivoting to the media’s own compensation. “What about the media? Think about that for a second,” he shot back.
Raju was quick to defend the media’s position, pointing out that journalists like himself are not paid by taxpayer dollars. “We’re not paid by public money,” Raju responded, clarifying the distinction between government compensation and private media salaries.
Durbin, however, wasn’t ready to back down. He continued to make his point, saying, “But I mean, half of your listeners are not there anymore. You’re still getting the same paycheck. What’s going on?”
Readers should note that in the face of plummeting viewership, CNN has been forced to issue multiple rounds of layoffs, salary freezes and pay cuts, though Congress is immune from any similar consequences.
This remark seemed to catch Raju off guard, as he attempted to steer the conversation back to the pay raise for lawmakers, asking, “Well, I mean, you’re taxpayer money, I mean, you guys deserve a raise?”
The exchange between Durbin and Raju highlights ongoing concerns about the relationship between lawmakers and the public. A Gallup poll recently revealed that Congress is one of the least trusted institutions in America, with only 34% of Americans expressing confidence in their elected officials. This mistrust has been exacerbated by the perception that politicians often prioritize their own financial interests over the needs of their constituents.
Interestingly, the media is also struggling with its own trust issues. The same Gallup poll found that the U.S. media ranks as the “least trusted group among 10 U.S. civic and political institutions,” with Congress just slightly behind in terms of public skepticism. Both sectors face significant challenges in restoring faith with the American public, especially amid criticism of their handling of key issues, including the pay raises now under consideration.
Congress, all members of the House and Senate plus their staff have failed to deliver to the American TAX payer what they deserve amd are paying for with their taxes. The constant Billions of dollars in give aways of OUR money, for no apparent reason and with absolutely no return value, should be highly questioned, but who’s going to do that as its like theives checking thieves. Considering the distastful acts of what our Congressional leaders, over the past 4 years, have done I would say that the “average tax payer” would give Congressional leaders an D grade if not a complete F, followed by a desire to decrease their pay and benefits. Perhaps a forced move, like Congress did to the Social Security fund, of the Congressional Retirement Fund to the General Fund, and putting Congressional Members into the SS fund, would get it straightened out plus make them a little more concerned about telling us that the SS fund is going broke, but pushing to put illegal alliens on SS, evern though they don’t not qualify nor have not contributed. Perhpans we need to tell them Congress is not a career and their should also be age limits as well as Term limits to prevent the temptation of Corruption and nepatism. We should tell them also that after the elections, they work not for their parties but for the American Public and should come together and stop all this political bickersing and accomplishing nothing. We should tell them to weed out the corruption themselves, block members of the house and senate who display disrespectful acts. Eliminate the extra pays for those who choose to be a member of several committees. Politicians have been feathering their nests for way too long and the eggs they lay on the average tax payer have been rotten for way too long. Time to change out the birds.
No politician deserves a pay raise let alone COLA. Closing in on 37 trillion debt and a ignominious fool like Durbin is excited over the probable raise.
He’s lucky he lives in IL where democrats rule and run the state into the toilet and he gets reelected to keep the train rolling down the track of corruption.
He would look good in an orange jump suit.
Congress currently is payed $174k. That is 2.75 times the 2023 for males and almost 3.5 times the 2023 median income for females. Why do they need a raise, especially 40%, when so many workers haven’t seen pay increases that even match the CPI increase?
Cut their pay to the median+$1 (in honor of their service). If they want a pay raise let them work to raise the median wage.
If this were to be done, 2-term limits might be easy to pass.
Give them the same raise that is given to Senior Citizens. 2%