Source: The Patriot Light | AWK Network | VIEW ORIGINAL POST ==>
Democrat Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois engaged in a tense exchange with CNN’s Manu Raju on Wednesday, pushing back against media scrutiny over a potential congressional pay raise by questioning the media’s own performance and viewership. The heated back-and-forth occurred after Raju asked Durbin about reports that lawmakers were considering a pay increase for the first time in over a decade.
“Members are giving themselves a pay raise — do you guys deserve a pay raise?” Raju inquired.
Durbin, appearing caught off guard, responded, “Well, that’s news to me. It’s good news. Has it been 10 years or 14 years? No COLA, no change at all. I think it’s about time something’s done.” COLA refers to cost-of-living adjustments, which have not been applied to congressional salaries for years.
But the exchange turned sharp as Raju pressed further, asking whether Congress’s performance justified a pay raise at all. “People look at the performance of Congress and say, ‘Why should we give them more money?’” Raju asked.
Durbin, turning the question back on the media, shot back, “What about the media? Think about that for a second. Half of your…
