In a new spending deal passed by Congress, lawmakers quietly approved two provisions that could raise some eyebrows: a pay raise for themselves and an exemption from the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requirement.
First, the deal includes a cost-of-living pay raise for members of Congress, marking the first such increase since 2009. This change comes after a long period in which lawmakers were barred from receiving pay raises due to the 2008 financial crisis. While some argue the increase is necessary to keep pace with inflation, others see it as politically risky, especially with Congress already being one of the most unpopular institutions in the U.S.
The second provision allows members of Congress to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that they use health insurance exchanges set up under the law, according to Punchbowl News’ Melanie Zanona.
Both provisions flew “under the radar,” and even some Democrats were unaware of this change until the final version of the bill was released, the report states.
While lawmakers were previously required to obtain their health care through these exchanges, Republicans have tried to overturn this rule for years. The new deal now gives them a way to bypass it.
“A couple of Republicans have been trying to overturn this for years to no avail,” Zanona and colleague John Bresnahan write. “We’re told some key Democrats were unaware of this language until after the final CR text was released Tuesday evening. The provision wasn’t in an earlier draft of the health title of the CR that was circulating.”
These provisions were quietly tucked into the spending bill, with little public attention, leading many to question the timing and transparency of the move. The decision is likely to spark debate about fairness, priorities, and whether lawmakers should be making these changes while many Americans continue to face economic hardship.
