[Lurking Libertarian]

Congressional pay would have been reined in had they ratified this proposed article in the Bill of Rights: "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."

That was ratified-- eventually-- in 1992. It's now part of the Constitution, as the 27th Amendment. Hasn't made much difference, though.

[yuleeyahoo]

That’s because Congress passed a law making annual pay raises automatic unless they voted against them.