House panel OKs bill to change staff pay schedule

House staffers moved a step closer to getting paid every two weeks after a House panel approved a bill on Wednesday giving the House Administration Committee the authority to alter the staff pay schedule.

Committee Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.), the measure’s chief sponsor, said even if the bill is approved by the full House, his committee would still have to vote in favor of doing away with the current once-a-month paycheck schedule, which has long irritated House staffers.

{mosads}Supporters of the change say it would make it easier for young staffers to budget their money, but its approval is not certain.

The House Inspector General recently reported that changing to a biweekly check cycle would cost $1.1 million in technical and labor expenses.

The committee also unanimously approved a measure that would reimburse House staffers who take late-night taxis home from Capitol Hill.

Ranking member Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) voted for the measure, but said he was concerned it could be abused. He successfully added language that would have the House Inspector General investigate it for flaws in six months.