Federal Judges Might Get Pay Bump This Year, but Not Next Year

The prospects have improved for a small increase in federal judges' paychecks -- but maybe only for the near term. House members voted this week on a $410 billion spending plan that includes a cost-of-living adjustment for the federal judiciary for the 2009 calendar year. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the proposal would give judges a 2.8 percent increase retroactive to January. But judges probably shouldn't expect much next year, if another House vote is any indication.