The average American income is currently $50,100, where as the current salary (2011-2012) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.
Senate and House Leadership Party Leaders - $193,400
Speaker of the House - $223,500
A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not accept it.
All the while jobless rates are up, and they are preparing to march us over a fiscal cliff. Most in America live on so little they can not afford housing on their own. It is time Congress and Senate only be paid what the national average income is. The more we make the more they make. Plus it will help lower the national debt.