The Atlantic: Are Members of Congress Overpaid?

A majority of Americans believe members of Congress overpaid, underworked and don't deserve a raise — and what's more lawmakers on Capitol Hill are unlikely to get one, The Atlantic reports.

"With congressional approval ratings low, lawmakers who want more money aren't likely to get very far — even if House Democrats, who have been generally sympathetic to an increase, are in charge next year," The Atlantic's Nora Kelly writes.

She notes that lawmakers already make "a hefty six figures and more than three times the U.S. median household income," even though they haven't voted themselves a raise in seven years.

At present, they pull an annual $174,000, with majority and minority leaders earning $193,400; and the House speaker taking in $223,500. That's compared to $44,000 the average American earned in 2014, according to The Atlantic.

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