Members of Congress return to Washington this week $4,100 richer. During their three-week vacation, the annual cost-of-living adjustment kicked in, bringing the salary of a congressman to $169,300.

At a time when partisan bickering has dragged congressional approval ratings to just 25 percent, Democrats and Republican can agree on one thing: a pay raise for poor performance. Any American workers who had such dismal reviews would be fired. But in the case of lawmakers in Washington, it’s business as usual.

Support for the pay raise was among the most bipartisan issues Congress grappled with last year. An attempt to block the automatic cost-of-living adjustment was defeated in June on a 244-to-181 vote; 99 Republicans joined 145 Democrats to back the 2.5 percent raise.

What came as a surprise, however, was that three of the top four House Republican leaders supported the pay hike; only Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, voted against it. The party that claims to protect taxpayers sent the message that members of Congress were looking out for themselves rather than the men and women they represent.

Supporters of the pay increase argue that it’s a cost-of-living adjustment no different from what other government workers receive each year. They also note that many lawmakers aren’t wealthy and some can’t even afford an apartment in Washington on their six-figure salary.

One member we’re supposed to pity is Rep. Tim Walberg, a freshman Republican from Michigan who sleeps in his office to save money. But based on his vote against the pay raise, it doesn’t appear Walberg minds his living situation much.

“Michigan is in an economic recession and its leaders need to be making sacrifices to bring the Wolverine State back to prosperity,” said Walberg spokesman Matt Lahr. “The congressman has been outspoken about making tax relief permanent and felt it would be inconsistent to vote to increase his own pay.”

With Democrats showing little sign of extending President Bush’s tax cuts, it might be a while before Walberg fulfills his goal of making tax relief permanent. He might be sleeping in his office for years to come. Continued...