The release of a 1,547-page budget deal on Tuesday night will result in a pay raise for members of Congress.

The lame duck continuing resolution (CR), unveiled only three days before the potential shutdown of the government, strips out a provision that has been included in spending legislation since 2009 blocking automatic raises for Congress. This effectively gives senators and House Members a raise.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, the top Democrat of the powerful House Appropriations Committee explained in 2023 the “Members Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA),” which automatically goes into effect unless blocked.

She stated unambiguously, “Newsflash: A COLA is an increase in pay for members of Congress.”

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Congress cleverly rebrands political toxic items such as congressional pay increases, as they did when they started referring to “congressionally-directed spending” as earmarks.

It’s not the first time that Congress has used a lame duck spending bill at the last minute to its advantage.

The 2022 lame duck spending bill included a provision that allows reimbursement of a variety of living expenses. This includes lodging, food and travel costs while working in Washington, DC.

The New York Times reports that individual members may be eligible for up to $34,000 reimbursement in the first year.

The majority of members of Congress earn around $174,000 per year, though some are in positions that pay more. Speaker of the House gets $223,500 while Senate President pro tempore earns $193.400.

After the provisions that prevent pay increases are removed, legislators will receive a pay adjustment equal to the difference between the Employment Cost Index of the Government for the fourth quarter in the previous calendar year and the year prior.

This adjustment will be made every year, unless Congress blocks it again.

The House will vote on the CR by Friday. The CR must pass the Senate and then be sent to Joe Biden.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R – LA) led the negotiations for Republicans. However, the timing, content, process and other aspects of the agreement received harsh criticism from GOP members on all sides before the pay increase was announced.

It remains to be determined whether the raise in pay will help or hurt Johnson’s deal.

Gallup reports that Congress has a consistent approval rating in the teens.