In a moment when the balance of power between the branches of government is increasingly under threat, the recent push to grant a modest pay raise to U.S. Congress members should be celebrated, not condemned. Yet, figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump have expressed staunch opposition to a provision in the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would raise Congressional salaries for the first time in 15 years. This opposition has led to a government shutdown at the most inconvenient of times — during the holidays, no less. But what if the opposition to fairly compensating our elected officials is itself an affront to the principles of democracy and governance upon which this country was built?
The notion that we should not reward those who serve in Congress with a fair and competitive salary runs counter to the very idea of “America First.” Our elected officials are the ones who craft the laws that guide our lives, who stand as a counterweight to the executive branch, and who safeguard the Constitution’s checks and balances. To suggest that they should do so while subsisting on outdated pay levels is to undermine the efficacy of the democratic process itself. It is, in a sense, anti-American to deny the people’s representatives the financial means to perform their jobs with the dignity and focus they deserve.
The opposition to a simple pay increase — from $174,000 to $180,000 — is not just an economic issue. It is an ideological one. Those who oppose this pay raise fail to recognize the challenges that come with being a member of Congress in the modern era. With the presidency held by a billionaire and the legislative branch under increasing pressure from the wealthy elite, it is clear that Congress needs to be empowered — not hindered — if it is to serve as a true counterbalance to the power of the executive.
Perhaps the most glaring example of this unbalanced power dynamic is the growing influence of Elon Musk over the incoming administration. Through his direct control of the DOGE body, Musk has effectively inserted himself into the legislative process, giving him a hand in shaping what Congress can and cannot debate, despite it not being a formal committee within Congress itself. The DOGE initiative, which Musk leads, acts as an overseer body over Congress, infringing upon what the Constitution calls the Speech or Debate Clause — the safeguard that allows lawmakers to discuss and debate without fear of external interference or retribution.
Musk’s interference is alarming, as it erodes the very foundation of the Constitution’s design. By creating DOGE, Musk has positioned himself to influence the direction of legislation and potentially stifle dissent. This type of power concentration undermines the ability of Congress to operate independently and perform its role as a counterbalance to the executive. If Congress is not adequately funded, its members are left more vulnerable to external influence from powerful individuals like Musk, who can drown out the voices of everyday Americans with his vast wealth and reach.
It is important to note that the pay raise in question was not a drastic increase. It was a modest adjustment to ensure that Congressional salaries kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. But Musk and his allies opposed it with vigor. Why? According to reports, this pay raise — which would amount to an additional $6,000 annually per lawmaker — was one of the main reasons they lobbied against the CR, even threatening a government shutdown over it. The fact that this modest proposal was enough to provoke such a reaction from Musk is telling. It suggests a deeper issue: those who oppose empowering Congress with fair pay likely have their own interests in mind, not the interests of the American people.
Musk’s opposition to the pay raise — and his broader control over the political landscape — exemplifies a disturbing trend in American politics: the concentration of power in the hands of a few billionaires who can wield enormous influence over the executive and legislative branches alike. As the wealthiest man in the world, Musk’s actions and influence are a direct challenge to the democratic process, especially when he uses his vast resources to manipulate policy and push his own agenda, sometimes through lies and misinformation. He is not just shaping the future of technology and space exploration — he is shaping the future of American governance.
The need for a strong, independent Congress has never been greater. The Constitution’s checks and balances, designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, are under threat from concentrated wealth and influence. The legislative branch must be well-compensated to ensure that its members are able to focus on their constitutional duties without being distracted by financial instability or the pressure to cater to the whims of wealthy power brokers. When Congress is poorly compensated, it opens the door to corruption, partisanship, and a reliance on external funding sources that erode the integrity of our elected officials.
In the face of these challenges, the recent pay raise for Congress should be seen as a necessary step toward restoring balance. Providing Congress with a fair salary is not just a matter of fairness; it is a matter of national security. If we want our elected officials to stand strong in the face of powerful forces like Musk, we must ensure they have the resources and dignity they need to do so. A well-compensated Congress is one that will be able to act as a true counterbalance to an ever-growing executive branch. Anything less risks a future where our government is no longer the people’s government, but the government of the ultra-wealthy few.