House Favors Hike in Congressional Pay

Lawmakers edged closer to a $3,000 cost-of-living increase to their $133,600 salaries as the House lined up behind the raise after impassioned debate. The bipartisan 229-199 vote was on an arcane parliamentary motion that merely sought to force a nonbinding vote on the pay raise. Opponents forced the hourlong debate and roll call after complaining they had been hoodwinked last week when the leadership in both parties swiftly moved pay-linked legislation through the House. The Senate has already gone on record against the increase. The final decision will be made by negotiators for the two houses. The last cost-of-living increase for Congress was in 1992.