Many Congressional Staffers Enjoy Generous Bonuses

You didn't think they were about to cut back, did you?

A CNN analysis of thousands of pages of Congressional expense reports shows that in the months leading up to the fiscal cliff (and potential, sharp budget cuts), nearly a quarter of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives gave their own office staff bonuses.

That money is itemized as "Other Compensation" in the more than 2000-page report.

Only a handful of members of Congress gave us statements defending the bonuses last quarter.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA, wrote, "have a hard working, dedicated team… and I want to pay a salary that reflects their service."