Student loan repayment program recipients can receive benefits without salary-based limitations.
Why This Matters
The House began the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) in 2003. Under the policy’s original regulations, SLRP funds received by a staffer were considered part of their salary and thus calculated into the staffer’s total compensation which could not exceed the staff pay cap. This meant that for expert staff, the employee benefit of student loan repayment could not be offered or utilized unless matched with a decrease in salary, hurting the House’s recruitment and retention of highly qualified and experienced individuals.
How It Happened
In exploring the enhancement of staff benefits to improve recruitment and retention by getting them on par with what is offered in the Executive branch and private sector, ModCom made recommendation #106, calling for SLRP funds to be removed from the calculation. In 2022, CHA updated regulations to implement this recommendation, thus removing student loan repayment amounts from the calculation of a staffer’s pay.
The Impact
By allowing expert and experienced staff to participate in the House’s Student Loan Repayment Program, the House is on par with benefits offered to senior staff regarding this element of student loan benefits. This helps the House’s recruitment and retention of a professionalized workforce.
Next Steps
The House should ensure the continuation of this policy.
Glossary
ADA = Americans with Disabilities Act
AOC = Architect of the Capitol
CHA = Committee on House Administration
CAO = House Chief Administrative Officer
CDTF = Congressional Data Task Force
COLA = Cost-of-Living Adjustment
CPF = Community Project Funding
CR = Continuing Resolution
GAO = Government Accountability Office
GAO STAA = The Government Accountability Office’s Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team
GenAI = Generative Artificial Intelligence
HIRO = House Intern Resource Office
HDS = House Digital Service
LIS = Legislative Information Service
LLM = Large Language Model
MIA = Modernization Initiatives Account
ModCom = The House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
ModSub = Subcommittee on Modernization (ModSub) within the Committee on House Administration
MOU = Memorandum of Understanding
NMO = New Member Orientation
OCWR = Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
