House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued a directive on Friday that will allow House members to pay their staff a salary higher than that of many lawmakers in the nation’s capital.
“As you know, our hard-working, patriotic Congressional staffers are integral to the functioning of the House of Representatives: ensuring this institution can effectively carry out our legislative and constituent responsibilities,” Pelosi said. “To that end, we must do all we can to retain and recruit the best talent in our nation — and to build a Congressional workforce that reflects the communities we are honored to serve.”
Representatives and senators make an annual salary of $174,000, while those in leadership positions can make tens of thousands of dollars more per year.
“It is my privilege as Speaker to announce that the House will raise the maximum annual rate of pay for staff to $212,100,” Pelosi continued. “This increase in the Speaker’s Pay Order is consistent with the recent raise in the Executive Branch Level II and Senior Executive Branch maximum annual salary rate.”
Pelosi, 82, announced last month that she would not seek re-election as the top Democrat in the House, but will remain in Congress.
Pelosi, who emerged as a Democratic leader during the George W. Bush administration, made the announcement from the House floor in a speech that touched on democracy, diversity, and elections, and that was met with regular rounds of applause by Democrats. She maintained that she would continue to represent the people of San Francisco.
“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect,” said Pelosi.
Pelosi also briefly talked about her husband Paul, who was hospitalized after an intruder broke into their San Francisco home and attacked him with a hammer. The suspect, David DePape, has pleaded not guilty, and friends say he has a history of drug abuse, mental illness, and believing conspiracy theories.
Pelosi’s announcement comes after a better-than-expected performance for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections. Though pre-election polling and punditry suggested that a “red wave” would sweep Republicans into power in both houses of Congress, Democrats were able to prevail in several high-profile Senate contests to keep control of that chamber, and Republicans have won only a slim majority in the House — but enough to oust Pelosi from her role as the speaker.
Eric Quintanar contributed to this report.