This week, House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana took the mic to defend a point that didn’t really hit home with most people. He said Congress hasn’t had a pay raise since 2009 and, with inflation factored in, lawmakers are earning about 31% less than they did back then. Because of this, he argued, stock trading helps members make ends meet and take care of their families.
During his remarks, Johnson painted a picture of what life’s like for Congress members: juggling two homes – one in D.C., one back in their district – constantly traveling, and doing it all on the same salary they had 16 years ago, with costs only going up.
“I mean, just people just make a reasonable decision as a family on whether or not they can come to Washington and have a residence here, residence at home, and do all the things that are required,” he said.
For him, stock trading wasn’t an ethical minefield but a solution to shrinking paychecks – just a way to keep up with rising expenses. “Sadly, a few bad actors discolor it for everyone,” he added, making it clear he didn’t think stock trading itself was the issue.
He went a step further, saying, “At least let them engage in some stock trading so that they can continue to take care of their family,” and warned that without options like this, Congress would attract fewer qualified candidates willing to make that “extreme sacrifice.”
Debate Erupts After Mike Johnson’s Comments on Stock Trading
The comparison to regular Americans came sharply. “Members of Congress earn more than 90% of Americans,” one person wrote flatly. Another connected the remarks directly to recent legislative priorities: “I wish he would have used this same logic when he was ramrodding cuts to healthcare and public support for citizens. There was zero compassion.”
The stock trading angle drew its own fire. “Give the American people the same insider trading information they have, and you have a deal,” one commenter said. Another offered a middle ground that didn’t involve stock portfolios: “I recognize that traveling and staying in Washington may be difficult, so if we need to build dorms or whatever, do that – but not this, because this is the gateway to corruption.”
Some responses cut to the core of the job itself. “Then they should stop being in Congress. There’s a reason why these positions aren’t necessarily high-paying jobs – but enough to live a manageable, humble life.” One reply landed the comparison that stung most: “They should try living on minimum wage since they aren’t in any hurry to raise it. In Indiana, it’s $7.25 and $2.13 for tipped workers. Try living on that.”
Johnson is not wrong about inflation. Congressional pay hasn’t budged since 2009, while costs have shot up about 30%. But here’s what Johnson left out: most members make $174,000 a year. Johnson, as Speaker, brings in $223,500, and the other top leaders get $193,400.
On top of that, members get daily food allowances, travel reimbursements, access to a generous pension after five years, and taxpayer-funded office budgets. Compare this with the median U.S. household income in 2025 – $80,610, and that puts Congressional base pay at more than double the national average, way above what most Americans earn.
