Virginia Dems Vote To Give Themselves A Pay Raise
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An amendment in the budget passed by Democrats in the State Senate gives lawmakers an almost 300% pay increase.
The House version also has the pay increase.
Legislators in Virginia could see a nearly 300% pay increase if an amendment added to the budget by Democrats in the state Senate makes it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk.
The Democrat controlled Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have both passed their versions of the commonwealth’s budget, largely along party lines.
The Senate version of the budget, which passed Thursday, now includes an amendment to increase the salaries of state senators and delegates to $50,000 annually. The House version also includes this pay increase.
Currently, senators make $18,000 a year and delegates make $17,640.
Virginia Republicans called out the Democrats over this.
They tweeted, “Teachers got a 3% raise. But Democrats give themselves 300%.”
Virginia Democrats just voted to give themselves a 300% pay increase.
Teachers got a 3% raise. But Democrats give themselves 300%. pic.twitter.com/K65cnZB0K3
— VA Senate GOP (@VASenateGOP) February 26, 2026
Republicans were quick to criticize the final budget, with the Virginia Senate Minority Caucus saying in a statement that “teachers got a 3% raise, but Democrats give themselves 300%.” The actual increase would be closer to 178%, though one could say the new salary would be 300% of the original.
“The affordability hoax just gets worse and worse,” the caucus said, adding that the chamber’s majority killed a repeal of the car tax — something GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Sears ran on — while increasing the state budget by $1 billion overall.
Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, told WVTF it is the “wrong time” to address lawmaker pay.
“It’s supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly,” he said.
