This part of the Constitution provides compensation for members of Congress and includes a clause that promotes and protects free and open debate in Congress.
Article I, Section 6
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
The Framers hoped that, by providing a salary, people without wealth could serve in Congress and be less vulnerable to bribes and other financial interests. Though congressional members may increase their own salaries by enacting a law, the Twenty-Seventh Amendment defers the effective date of salary increases until after the subsequent House election cycle.
The “Speech or Debate” clause shields members from criminal and civil liability for speech during congressional business, including suits for slander and libel.
