The move marks no sudden change of heart by the Republican leaders of what has become known as the most do-nothing-ever Congress. It was a little muscle-flexing by Democratic lawmakers following through on their vow from earlier this year to block any congressional pay raise until the long-stagnant $5.15 minimum wage is increased.

Because Congress has failed to approve appropriations bills for most federal departments and agencies, it must now approve a temporary spending measure—called a continuing resolution or CR—before adjourning for the year, or those departments will run out of funds to operate.

After being thumped at the polls, seared by corruption and scandals and ridiculed for accomplishing so little, Republican leaders don’t want what’s left of their legacy tarnished further. So, Hill insiders say, when House Democrats said they would fight any CR that doesn’t block the congressional pay raise until the minimum wage is raised, Republicans—who are itching to get out of town—agreed to include the provision in the CR.

The House and Senate want to wrap up work later tonight or tomorrow and bring down the final curtain on the 109th Congress. A vote on the funding measure is expected in the House later today, followed by a Senate vote.

It may tough for some of those who were counting on that extra $3,300, but with little belt-tightening, they should be able to scrape by on the $165,200 salaries—$3,176.92 a week—they will earn under their current pay scale.

Minimum wage workers who, for nearly 10 years, have been making just $5.15 an hour, or $206 a week, might be able to give them money-saving pointers, such as don’t spend your cash on any frivolous items—like food or medicine.

Minimum wage workers must wait a few more weeks until Democratic leaders take the reins and make good on their promise to pass a raise in the minimum wage in the first 100 days.