Republicans bitter from Democrats blocking the Congressional pay raise last year to force a discussion on raising the minimum wage for all Americans have retaliated.

After Republicans refused to raise the federal minimum wage for the ninth year in a row in 2006, Democrats tried to drive the message home by denying the annual Cost of Living Agreement for Congress. Upset with that move the Republicans slapped back blocking the pay raise for this term. House GOP Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri told the Washington Post that Democrats "are going to suffer in terms of not being able to have a COLA." As a result, congressional pay will be frozen this year at $165,200.