Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would raise the maximum annual pay rate for Capitol Hill aides, in a long-awaited move intended to help recruit and retain congressional staffers.
In a letter to lawmakers, Ms. Pelosi said that House aides could now earn up to $199,300 in an effort to shore up “the outstanding and diverse talent that we need.” The change marks the first time that a congressional aide can receive a salary greater than a lawmaker: An average member of Congress receives an annual salary of $174,000.