[p]President Barack Obama returned back to work after a short vacation to come up with a solution to the "fiscal cliff", but at the same time also signed an order to increase the salary of members of Congress, federal workers and Vice President Joe Biden.

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Wages had remained unchanged since 2009 and 2010, because of the U.S. economic situation.

Interestingly enough, the members who make up the U.S. Congress during Obama’s administration, will go down in history as one of the most inactive ones, because during his administration only 219 laws were created.

Obama's order will come into effect on March 27, 2013, and will apply to the 113th Legislature. The 112th Legislature who made his last term as Congress members will not receive the pay increase.

In the order signed by the President, you can also observe changes in the salaries of physicians and veteran officers.

* You can view the document here.

The surprise for many is that the order was signed just before starting negotiations to stop the fiscal cliff, and although the pay increases are not a large amount, they are significant.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com