Members of Congress make three times what the average American brings home.
Some lawmakers say that's not enough.
An idea floated in a House committee this week would give members a raise to help them pay for housing in pricey Washington.
Paychecks are a touchy subject on Capitol Hill.
Closed-door comments by Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey are already becoming a campaign issue in his Senate race.
Gingrey's office says he's opposed to any congressional pay raises, but Virginia Congressman Jim Moran says $174,000 salary members earn isn't enough, even though that's three times the national median income of $51,000 a year.
Moran says the problem is the price of Washington real estate, where a small one-bedroom basement apartment costs about $1,250 per month.
Moran says he's worried about Congress becoming a millionaires' club.
He proposed a housing subsidy of $25 dollars per day, even though he knows it is a tough sell.
"We've been inundated with thousands of calls, almost all of them using obscene language," Moran said.
The House Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly voted down Moran's proposal by voice vote.
It has been five years since Congress has given itself a raise.