Congress receives an automatic pay increase unless they vote specifically against receiving such an increase, as established by the 1989 Ethics Reform Act.
Instead, Congress should ONLY receive a pay increase once every four years, by public referendum to be included in years in which a presidential contest occurs. In this manner, Congress would rely on the good will of the Public to earn higher salaries.
It is only fair and just as we elect the members of Congress to represent us, and, as their primary means of review, should rely upon us for pay increases.