[Source.](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/speakers-lobby-not-quite-pay-raise) > It’s politically toxic for Members of Congress to approve a pay raise for themselves. > So, the House did the next best thing. It approved something that is kind of like a pay raise. > But not really. > Members of the House of Representatives earn a base salary of $174,000 a year. Those in leadership positions make $193,400. The Speaker takes home $223,500. Those salaries have stalled since 2009. > It would take both bodies of Congress to approve a formal pay raise. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution says any pay increase can’t take effect until there’s an election in the House. That’s so lawmakers must face the music from the voters if they supported a pay increase. > So, the House is now implementing a plan which allows the House to reimburse Members for expenses they incur while in Washington, DC. House Members previously held two "work stations." One in the district. One in Washington. The new program says that lawmakers now have one "work station." Thus, they are eligible for reimbursements when on Capitol Hill.