This Time, Crapo Supports Congressional Pay Hike

For the first four years he was in office, U.S. Rep. Michael Crapo voted against cost-of-living pay increases for members of Congress, believing they were not deserved.

This year the Idaho Republican changed his mind. He joined a narrow House majority Wednesday supporting a motion that moved a 2.3-percent raise - $3,072 on a current salary of $133,600 - closer to reality.

Crapo supports the increase because he is pleased with progress the Republican-controlled Congress has made on the budget deficit and other issues, spokeswoman Susan Wheeler said.

For his first two years in office in particular, Crapo was frustrated with decisions coming out of the Democrat-controlled Congress, Wheeler said. Since then the decisions have become more conservative.

“He feels significant strides have been made in significant areas,” she said. “He is pleased with that direction and wants to see that continue,” Wheeler said.