Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, noted that Republicans took over the amendment this year when it was certain to pass. He said Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record), D-Wis., has been the lone Senate voice opposing the pay raises for years, "and no one can take away the fact that this has always been Russ Feingold's mantra."
Republicans froze salaries for several years after gaining the majority in 1995, but in seven of the past eight years lawmakers have accepted cost-of-living increases, usually with little or no debate.
Salaries stood at $101,900 in 1991 and have gone up from $133,600 in 1997.
C-SPAN Capitol News
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