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Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 26, 2017
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
December 26, 2017: At the beginning of the 115th Congress, 50 of the 100 U.S. senators had previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives. This included 27 of 52 Senate Republicans, 22 of 46 Senate Democrats, and one of the two independents who caucused with the Democrats.
Ballotpedia’s backgrounder also noted the following facts about congressional compensation.
As of 2017, members of Congress are paid $174,000 per year. Senate majority and minority leaders, as well as the president pro tempore, receive $193,400. The speaker of the House receives $223,500.
Some historical facts about the salary of United States Congress members:
- In 1789, members of Congress received a $6 per diem.
- In 1874, members of Congress earned $5,000 per year.
- In 1990, members of Congress earned $98,400 per year.
- From 2000-2006, the salary of a member of Congress increased every year, going from $141,300 to $165,200 in that time span.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- December 22, 2017 – 55 percent of those who celebrate Christmas view it as a religious holiday
- December 21, 2017 – 14,600 dollar annual income qualifies as middle class globally
- December 20, 2017 – 1.5 million Americans over the age of 75 are still working
- December 19, 2017 – 58 college presidents earn a million dollars or more each year
- December 18, 2017 – 15 billion pieces of mail to be delivered this holiday season
- To see other recent numbers, check out the archive.
Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day is published by Ballotpedia weekdays at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here to check out the latest update.
The Number of the Day is broadcast on local stations across the country. An archive of these broadcasts can be found here.
Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
Ballotpedia is the nonprofit, nonpartisan Encyclopedia of American Politics.
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