Congress forgets that their own constituents are the people who are paying their salaries. If American's have to tighten their belts, members of Congress should be the leaders.
So I propose that no member of Congress, both Senate and House, should not be able to receive a salary exceeding the average median wage's of their own constituents. For example, if a House member's district earns an average $20,000 a year, that is what that House member should receive for their own salary. If they don't like earning so little they should make sure that those in their district/state has the opportunity to find a job and earn more money.
They should also not receive more than $50,000 a year if their state has over 5% unemployment. Even if that means they have to take a pay cut.