Nancy Pelosi walking to the House floor. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images
The House of Representatives is raising its maximum annual salary for staff to $199,300, up from $173,900, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Thursday.
Why it matters: The move is intended to help "recruit and retain the outstanding and diverse talent," Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues. It's also aimed at ensuring pay parity between House staff and other federal government employees, she added.
Between the lines: The move would allow some staffers to earn higher salaries than elected officials. The compensation for most U.S. senators, representatives and delegates is s $174,000, according to the Congressional Research Service.
What she's saying: "This important action follows steps taken over the last two Congress to make the House more inclusive, open, and representative of the full range of voices and values of our communities," Pelosi wrote.