Mike Johnson says lawmakers' $174K+ salaries haven't kept up with inflation — they need stock trading for support Rudro Chakrabarti May 17, 2026 7 min read A clip of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) defending congressional stock trading went viral on May 14, 2026, one year to the day after he made the comments. (1) The same day, the U.S. Office of Government Ethics released filings showing President Donald Trump executed more than 3,600 stock transactions worth between $220 million and $750 million in the first quarter of 2026. (2) Must Read Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this 'explosion' Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here's how to fix it ASAP What Speaker Johnson said In the clip, Johnson lays out a sympathetic case.
Frozen pay is already pushing qualified people away from Congress, he argues, and stock trading helps make the job worth taking. "If you stay on this trajectory, you're going to have less qualified people who are willing to make the extreme sacrifice to run for Congress," he says in the video. "I mean, 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.
So the counterargument is, and I have some sympathy, 'Look, at least let them, like, engage in some stock trading, so that they can continue to, you know, take care of their family.'" (3) "On balance," Johnson added, he probably supports a ban "because I think it's been abused in the past, and I think, sadly, a few bad actors discolor it for everyone." Congress shouldn't have any "appearance of impropriety," he continued. (3) Here's the thing: The salary numbers are real. What members of Congress actually make Rank-and-file members of Congress make $174,000. The Speaker makes $223,500.
Other top party leaders make $193,400. Those numbers haven't moved since 2009. After inflation, that's roughly a 30% pay cut. (6) For 2025, Johnson scheduled the House for 136 working days in Washington.
The Senate, under Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), is scheduled for 179. (14) Salary is one piece. Members also get federal health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, a defined-benefit pension that kicks in after five years of service, Thrift Savings Plan matching and allowances for travel and office expenses. They keep their pay during recesses and stay pension-eligible after leaving office.
Story Continues Outside earned income is capped at 15% of the congressional salary. There's no cap on investment income, book royalties or capital gains. The 2012 STOCK Act requires members to disclose financial transactions within 45 days, but enforcement has historically been limited to $200 fines for late filings. (6) For context: Median U.S. household income in 2024 was $83,730, per the latest Census Bureau data. (7) A $174,000 base salary puts a lawmaker in the top 10% of American earners.
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