Judge Bruggink Backs Lawmakers' $420,000 Back-Pay Claims as Congress Still Moves to Block 2027 Raise
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 26
Judge Bruggink Backs Lawmakers' $420,000 Back-Pay Claims as Congress Still Moves to Block 2027 Raise
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 26
A preliminary ruling by Judge Bruggink handed current and former lawmakers a significant win in their long-running suit over missed congressional cost-of-living raises, though it does not lift current paychecks yet.
The case now turns on whether more than 20 canceled COLAs since 2009 were void or merely delayed, a question that could determine sizable back-pay awards; plaintiffs say Steny Hoyer could be owed up to $420,000.
Congress has repeatedly blocked its own automatic increases to avoid political backlash, even as supporters argue frozen pay makes members more reliant on outside interests and less able to attract qualified candidates.
That legal victory collides with current politics: the House is still advancing fiscal 2027 legislation to block another COLA, while leaders including Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro signaled no immediate shift.
The ruling could still give lawmakers political cover for a future raise after a 3.8% increase failed in 2024, with pay advocates tying the issue to anti-corruption efforts such as a stock-trading ban.
If lawmakers voted to freeze their pay, why might taxpayers now fund millions in backdated salary increases?
Could a court-mandated pay raise for Congress actually improve government, or would it just deepen public distrust?