Kinda old news, but well worth bumping.
I'm pretty sure that Congress-critters are not subject to the "Affordable Health Care Act," but I'm not sure. I think there are other laws that Congress people have exempted themselves from, Might be interesting to find a list somewhere, but my google-fu sucks.
Terry, 230RN
As far as ACA, Congress doesn't need an exemption since (a) they would never be required to cancel their existing coverages, (b) the law doesn't force everyone (yet) to join the exchanges, and (c) they don't individually employ the numbers of people required to fund healthcare for employees.
As for other laws, every major law that might get a Congressman in trouble in the course of their official duties (hiring staffers, etc.) has an exemption clause through 1995. That included 2 versions of the civil rights act which requires no discrimination when hiring.
"Pressure on Congress mounted and finally, in 1995, with Republicans in control of the House and Senate, the Congressional Accountability Act was passed, eliminating the congressional exemption for all workplace laws and regulations. Some thought passage of the law marked the end of congressional exceptionalism through exemption. They were mistaken."
Insider trading (the buying and selling of stocks based on insider information not available to the general public) has been a violation of federal securities laws for almost 80 years. Yet it was never illegal for members of Congress. Not, that is, until a November 2011 report by CBS's "60 Minutes" shamed Congress into changing the law to prohibit members of Congress and their staffs from trading on inside information. The report was largely based on research conducted by the Hoover Institution's Peter Schweizer for his book, "Throw Them All Out," published that same month. Speaking about the legislators capitalizing on their positions, Mr. Schweizer told Steve Kroft on the program: "This is a venture opportunity. This is an opportunity to leverage your position in public service and use that position to enrich yourself, your friends and your family."
Six months after the "60 Minutes" segment with Mr. Schweizer aired, Congress passed and the president signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, which bans insider trading by lawmakers and their staffs. But just last week, while voters were focused on emotional issues such as immigration and gun control, House and Senate members voted to repeal a key provision of the so-called Stock Act—the one that required online posting of their staffs' financial transactions.
So, as many times as there have been attempts to make Congress obey laws, there have been at least as many successful attempts to repeal or at least water down the laws for Congress members.
I always thought "member" was an adequate description of those in Congress, gender notwithstanding!
This article has a list of significant laws affecting or affected by Congressional noncompliance.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjPkLDG2uzJAhUIbiYKHUxdDPEQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Farticles%2FSB10001424127887324504704578413182814140480&usg=AFQjCNFnqawq2z5bhihl0TB1GTMFkFuHKg&sig2=oymK5cfzjS8GodoVcozHWw