Chair Lofgren Statement On Historic Congressional Staff Salary Increase And Workplace Protections

Press Release

Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) released the following statement today after Speaker Pelosi announced an historic increase in staff salaries and that a resolution will soon be brought to House floor to recognize Congressional workers' right to collectively bargain and unionize:

"In a letter to Members today, the Speaker announced the House will set new, historic increases in staff salaries and adopt protections for all staffers to bargain collectively without fear of reprisal. Together, these measures are an extraordinary step towards building the most effective, representative, and diverse Congressional workforce in history.

"I grew up in a union family and believe unions make America stronger. There already are some unions in the Capitol, primarily among institutional staff. If other Hill staff want to organize, Congress should allow them to do so. Accordingly, in the next week, I will work to bring Representative Levin's resolution to move the House forward on recognizing Congressional workers' right to organize in the most expeditious manner available."

"Since becoming Chair of the Committee on House Administration, it has been a priority of mine to strengthen the Congressional workplace by investing in our employees. Under our Democratic Leadership, the House has dramatically increased its capacity to recruit, advance, and retain a diverse and dynamic workforce. We've enacted historic increases to the Member's Representational Allowance. We've improved educational, training, and mentorship opportunities, developed more comprehensive protections for employee rights, established new funding to compensate Congressional interns for the first time, and increased ancillary benefits like student loan repayment, among other important reforms. Now, in implementing all-time high levels of staff pay -- both a floor and a ceiling -- and committing to new protections to allow our staff to collectively bargain, we are closer than ever to realizing a truly inclusive, equitable, and just House of Representatives. I am grateful for the Speaker's encouragement and leadership as we support those who make our work on behalf of the American people possible."

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