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24 Jun, 9 tweets, 5 min read
Ben and Jerry’s for dinner. Racking up thousands in credit card debt. Entire paychecks going to daycare.

Capitol Hill can start as low as the $20,000s. This is how 8 staffers budget their salaries.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi…
“You’re living at the poverty level but you’re in the room for decisions of national implications,” one former Democratic communications staffer said.

Low pay drives stops diverse candidates from working in public service.

businessinsider.com/congress-salar…
“I’m a woman of color … If you’re going into the world of professionalism, you need to dress better than everybody else, or no one’s going to take you seriously,” this legislative aide said.

She makes just enough to budget rent and groceries.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi… A graphic with the headline "A legislative aide making
“The stress I was dealing with, the crap I was putting up with, no way I’m putting up with that for $30,000.”

A former Republican House staff assistant with a master’s degree left the Hill to work for the private sector.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi… A graphic with the headline "A former staff assistant w
Before landing a spot as a congressional aide, this junior staffer worked unpaid gigs that are an unspoken prerequisite for a Hill job.

He said the only position that paid sent him $1,200 a month.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi… A graphic with the headline "A former staff assistant w
This staffer started out in the nonprofit world, which also has low paying entry level salaries, before moving to the Hill.

In the process, she took on tens of thousands in credit card debt just to meet basic obligations.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi… A graphic with the headline "A senior legislative assis
A group of more than 100 House Democrats, including Rep. @AOC and Rep. @AdamSchiff, is demanding a raise for Capitol Hill staffers.

businessinsider.com/alexandria-oca…
Some staffers have started to reconsider whether the low pay for public service on the Hill is worth the emotional and mental toll.

Workers worldwide are burned out, and Congress is not immune, either.

Do you have a tip about Capitol Hill workplace issues to share?

Bad bosses, toxic offices, or questionable behavior towards congressional staffers?

Email hillsalarydiaries@insider.com or message 1-202-567-7343 on Signal, and we'll keep you anonymous.

businessinsider.com/how-capitol-hi…

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