Keep in touch with reality, Congress

In 1789, members of Congress were paid $6 per day for their service. After a few years, the country's elected legislators received $1,500 each year. This year, most senators and representatives in Washington will earn $174,000.

We think members of Congress should be fairly compensated. It's a demanding, important job. But like U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, we think they should have to vote to raise their pay.

Currently, cost of living increases occur automatically, unless Congress votes to stop the raise.

We also appreciate a proposal by 2nd District U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, who wants to cut congressional pay by 5 percent, or $8,700. That would be the first congressional pay cut since April 1933.

Grassley is among several lawmakers who think automatic increases are a bad idea, even though Congress has opted against taking a raise in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Without a vote, Congress was set to receive a $1,566 raise this year.

Few of us living and working in the world outside the beltway get automatic raises. And during the Great Recession and its aftermath, many of those lucky enough to keep their jobs got no raises, or saw their salaries sliced.

Autopilot compensation runs counter to the idea that pay should be based on performance. And if members of Congress think they deserve a raise, they should put their votes where their wallets are, for all their constituents to see. They shouldn't benefit from doing nothing.

“It's a slap in the face to do it when people across the country are tightening their own belts. With the terrible deficit coming up, Congress has to set an example that we take the budget situation seriously,” Grassley said.

At a time when Social Security recipients saw no increase in benefits, the economy continues to struggle and millions of Americans remain out of work, a pay cut is the least Congress can do to share a little of the pain.

But in the big scheme of things, it's a drop in the bucket.

The cut would save $4.7 million within a more than $4 billion congressional budget. As a point of reference, Iowa's entire state general fund budget is $6 billion.

If Congress really wants to get serious about controlling its own budget, look at the perks.

Members have access to bushels of bucks for staff costs, travel and franking privileges that allow them to send loads of mail at taxpayer expense. And some of those glossy mailings look suspiciously like campaign fliers.

There have been a few efforts to rein in perks. For instance, House members are no longer allowed to fly first class on the taxpayers' dime. But clearly, more can be sliced.

We don't want a Congress that's open only to the independently wealthy. But we do want a Congress that's in touch with reality and not on automatic pilot.