Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois found himself in a fiery exchange with CNN’s Manu Raju on Wednesday, deflecting media scrutiny over potential congressional pay raises by flipping the question back onto the press. The tense moment unfolded after Raju questioned whether lawmakers deserved a salary bump for the first time in over a decade.
“Members are giving themselves a pay raise — do you guys deserve a pay raise?” Raju asked, clearly referencing recent reports that Congress is considering raising its own pay.
Durbin, initially caught off guard, acknowledged the long freeze on congressional salaries. “Well, that’s news to me. It’s good news. Has it been 10 years or 14 years? No COLA, no change at all. I think it’s about time something’s done.” He was referring to the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) that have not been applied to congressional salaries since 2009. Lawmakers currently earn $174,000 per year, a figure that hasn’t budged in 15 years.
However, the exchange escalated when Raju pushed harder. “People look at the performance of Congress and say, ‘Why should we give them more money?’” he asked, reflecting widespread public frustration with the legislative body.
Durbin didn’t hold back, turning the tables on the media. “What about the media? Think about that for a second. Half of your listeners are not there anymore, and you’re still getting the same paycheck.” He was taking a jab at declining viewership numbers for major networks like CNN, which have faced sharp ratings drops as audiences increasingly turn to alternative news sources and digital platforms. “What’s going on?” Durbin added, in a pointed critique of the media’s own performance and relevance.
NEW: Number 2 Senate Democrat Dick Durbin has no clue what’s in the funding bill, is pleased to find out he’s getting a pay raise.
No wonder why our country is $36T in debt.
Durbin got offended after CNN’s Manu Raju asked if lawmakers deserved a pay raise considering all the… pic.twitter.com/GeXBWyuFQQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 18, 2024
The confrontation highlights a broader issue: Congress’s salaries have been frozen since 2009 due to public backlash over the optics of lawmakers giving themselves raises. While some argue that stagnant wages may dissuade competent individuals from public service, others believe Congress’s poor performance doesn’t warrant a pay increase. Public trust in Congress remains abysmally low, with polls consistently showing deep dissatisfaction with its ability to get things done.
Durbin’s remarks underscore the frustration many lawmakers feel about their compensation, but his deflection to media salaries reveals a growing hostility toward mainstream media, which many accuse of biased or low-quality reporting. The senator’s quip about declining CNN viewership reflects a sentiment shared by many Americans who are turning away from legacy outlets.
The interaction ultimately raises two significant questions: Does Congress deserve a raise after years of political gridlock? And how much credibility does the media have in holding lawmakers accountable when its own industry is facing a crisis of relevance? Both sides are grappling with public skepticism, and neither seems eager to admit their own shortcomings.