House lawmakers take $3,300 pay raise

WASHINGTON- Despite record low approval ratings, House lawmakers Tuesday embraced a $3,300 pay raise that would increase their salaries to $168,500.

The 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) would be the seventh straight for members of the House and Senate. Lawmakers easily squelched an attempt by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, to get a direct vote to block the increase, which is automatically awarded unless lawmakers vote to block it.

At first glance $168,500 sounds like a lot of money. Take 40% right off the top for Uncle Sam and you're down to a meagerr $101,000. Could you support two households on that income, one in Orlando and one in D.C.? I couldn't! These guys are underpaid.