Steny Hoyer weather the storm following the congressional pay increase

Steny Hoyer, House Leader, directed the charge this week for the first pay rise for members of Congress in a decade. But now he pays for it.

The Democrat Party of House No. 2 is picking up on all the caucus after trying to decree a pay raise, which some vulnerable Democrats would fear would be politically disastrous and could even cost them their seat year-round. next.

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Hoyer is now waging war on several fronts: an ugly public relations battle, a tough battle with Republicans and fierce criticism within his own party, including close allies, to give lawmakers a boost at the cost of life..

Across the caucus, the majority of Democrats stand alongside Hoyer, claiming that congressional salaries by lawmakers and staff have not kept pace with soaring housing costs in the United States. Washington region, as well as here. But many members are reluctant to speak, privately complaining about the attack and writing herself.

On Monday night, at an in camera meeting, Mr. Hoyer dismissed members of his own management team during a difficult exchange. Democratic Caucus representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island said he would vote against rising ground wages. But Hoyer reacted by saying to Cicilline that his place at the leaders' table sometimes required difficult votes, according to several sources close to the conversation.

Cicillin, who was one of the members of the room who expressed their concerns, declined to comment on the meeting and did not want to know if he supported increasing the cost of living for members: "I will not discuss what we said at the time of the meeting. meeting of the leaders. "

The still controversial issue is behind the split of many new students on the ground and longtime Democrats who claim to fight for fair compensation for their staff.

"I do not pay attention to front-line players. Most of them are afraid of their shadows. At some point, you have to do what is best for the institution, "said Louisiana Representative Cedric Richmond, who had supported Hoyer on the issue of wages in a recent meeting with GOP leaders. "I absolutely think that there is a majority of members who are for this idea."

Hoyer remains provocative even after the Democrats fired a spending bill, widely regarded as the least contentious measure of all, as it would have imposed a vote on the issue of wages. Hoyer and other supporters argue that this is not a wage increase, but simply an adjustment to keep wages up cost of living after a decade of wage stagnation – a position taken by Hoyer for decades.

The Democrat of Maryland told reporters Tuesday that the legislature was going to vote on the increase of $ 4,500 in the coming months, and insisted that it could still conclude a truce with the Republicans who s & # 39; 39, oppose the salary increase.

"Unlike some members, I'm more avant-garde," Hoyer told reporters on Tuesday. "I think [a cost-of-living] the adjustment is appropriate. Members have now witnessed a 10-year freeze. We do not want to only have rich people here. "

An aide from Hoyer said that the majority leader would talk with Democrats and Republicans about this issue to see if they would answer it in a supply bill or elsewhere.

But within the Democratic caucus, a small group of lawmakers publicly and privately extol Hoyer, saying he had consulted with Republican leaders, but not his own caucus.

"I do not think it's wise at this time, for sure," said Representative Dan Kildee, who represents the city of Flint, Michigan, where the average annual income is about 26,000 $. Members of Congress earn $ 174,000. "When working Americans do not see their wages go up, I can not imagine how we are going to do that."

"Many of us think this is not the right move or the right time," added Utah representative Ben McAdams. "I think people expect to work together, but are working to address health issues and the rising cost of prescription drugs. before we work together to give us an increase. "

McAdams, one of the Democratic's most vulnerable first-year students, expressed his opposition to Hoyer and introduced an amendment that would have blocked the increase.

Hoyer – who often praises his ties to moderate party members, including many first-year students – suddenly found himself at odds with many of the new Democratic members who contributed to the majority.

Instead, he won the support of progressives, including student rookie Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) – who tweeted in favor of adjusting the cost of living – Hearing the ears of Democratic activists like McAdams and the representative Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.).

But not all alternative district Democrats are trying to avoid a ground battle over the issue.

"I do not need the increase personally. But not everyone is in this situation and I want the country to be served by the best and the brightest, "said Rep. Dean Phillips, a rich Minnesota businessman who ousted a government official Acting in 2018. "I think Mr. Hoyer is looking for them and that's what we should be doing. "

Nevertheless, many vulnerable first-year students say they are surprised by Hoyer's efforts, unaware that the spending bill – which had already been advanced in committee – would have allowed the salary increase. Several lawmakers said they had heard about it for the first time just before a large group of members traveled to Europe for the commemoration of World War II last week.

"It really took us by surprise. Everyone was saying, "What the hell?" Said a Democratic assistant.

Hoyer has been lobbying for months to adjust the cost of living behind the scenes. Earlier this year, he helped persuade the House Appropriations Committee to authorize the salary increase in this year's bill, which the Republicans had intentionally blocked every year since 2009. But privately, some had warned that the problem could explode.

Other Democrats, including many members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Congressional Caucus, strongly supported Hoyer's intentions.

"Many of us have to support two households. Many of us do not have two incomes. Many of us live in areas where life is very expensive, "said CBC President Karen Bass.

"The expenses associated with this post are considerable," said CPC Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). "We need to be able to explain some of these difficulties, but in the end, we want to fight for every worker to get increments every year, it should be part of our platform."

Hoyer's plan required the support of Republican House leaders – an agreement he thought he had obtained in a private meeting with minority House leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) And the whip of the House, Steve Scalise (R-La.).

But the hand-holding strategy of party leaders failed after the National Republican Congress Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm, did not follow McCarthy's instructions not to attack Democrats on the issue .

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, McCarthy would not publicly approve the idea. But he has not ruled out, and his talking points are very close to those of Hoyer – arguing that Congress should not be ruled by the rich and pointing out that executive power has increased the cost of living then even as Congress froze. Pay.

"I do not want the Congress, ultimately, to be just a place where millionaires serve. This should be a body of the people. And I think it's something that deserves to be examined, "said McCarthy.