Members of Congress would not take paycuts under sequestration, but they might have to cut staff members. (Karen Bleier / AFP)

As the rest of the federal government prepares for furloughs, layoffs and sweeping budget cuts caused by sequestration, the people who could prevent the cuts are the ones whose paychecks are protected: members of Congress.

The 27th Amendment to the Constitution — intended to prevent members of Congress from voting themselves a pay raise — also prohibits them from taking a pay cut until after the next election.

Congress will feel the pain in other ways. Members’ office budgets, committee staff and leadership offices will all see the same across-the-board cuts as any other discretionary, non-defense spending. Continue reading “Budget cuts would hit Congress but not its members”