House leaders have introduced a 1,574-page spending bill that includes a provision granting members of Congress their first pay raise in 15 years. The proposed raise of $6,600, tied to a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Currently, members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, with higher salaries for leadership positions. The increase, included in the continuing resolution (CR), comes as inflation remains a heavy burden on many Americans, with costs for shelter and food rising significantly under President Joe Biden’s administration.

NEW🚨: Vivek Ramaswamy rips Speaker Johnson's funding bill, says the government is trying to waste your money without telling you.

Here is what's inside:

– Pay raises for members of Congress.
– Expansion of their federal health benefits.
– Opening up a new stadium in… pic.twitter.com/grkeelNoeY

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) December 18, 2024

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) has vowed to oppose the CR, calling the raise inappropriate and out of touch with the financial realities of many Americans. “If members can’t get by on our already generous salaries and benefits, they should find another line of work,” Golden said in a press release.

Republican lawmakers joined in the criticism, with Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) denouncing the move on X. “You can’t make this stuff up,” Crane wrote. Meanwhile, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) pointed to Congress’ recent performance, saying, “Seems hypocritical to increase salaries for ‘sausage making.’”

Congress has done nothing to deserve a pay raise – SHUT IT DOWN!

— SazzygirlinCali (@RjbRocklin) December 18, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) proposed a constitutional amendment to restrict lawmakers from enacting raises for themselves. “Proposed 28th amendment: ‘Congress shall make no law respecting the citizens of the United States that does not also apply to members of Congress themselves,’” DeSantis wrote on X.

With this pork filled bill, Congress has once again shown its intent to abuse us, trying to sneak through a 40% pay raise for themselves while funding questionable projects, all under the pressure of holiday deadlines.

This might just be their last attempt to exploit their power… pic.twitter.com/EYFpmgq8zq

— LilHumansBigImpact (@BigImpactHumans) December 18, 2024

The CR, which temporarily extends government funding through March 14, 2025, has been slammed by conservative lawmakers as a bloated, rushed package full of unrelated policy riders.