Senators Raise Their Daily Allowance by $29

Legislative salaries have not been raised in more than 15 years. The Democratic ads were referring to House GOP leaders' decision last year to raise the per diem by $5.

House Republicans were outraged at the ads, saying that Democrats violated a long-standing tradition of keeping per diems and pay raises out of political discussions.

The Democrats "took something that was not partisan and turned it into a political issue," Griffith said.

When they found out this week that the Senate was increasing its per diem, several House Democrats approached Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and other GOP leaders to ask whether they could also get an increase.

"We were like, 'Why? So you can beat us up again?' " Griffith asked.

House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) distanced himself from the ads.

"Every one of us has our own take on what is fair," Armstrong said. "I don't know how much longer we have to talk about a campaign that was over in November. This is the '08 session."

Some Democratic delegates are clamoring for the extra money.

On Wednesday, Del. Kenneth R. Melvin (D-Portsmouth) told his House colleagues that he will circulate a resolution supporting a raise in the House, saying that a small amount of money could make a difference in people's lives.

"I don't think this issue should be partisan," he said. "Now is the time for the adults on both sides to get together and work on this issue."

Saslaw said he doesn't blame House Republicans for resisting calls to raise the allowance this year. Saslaw said that Senate Democrats, who picked up the four seats in the election needed to regain the majority, steered clear of using pay raises as an issue because they thought it was an unfair charge to make against GOP incumbents.

"They cut off their own noses," Saslaw said, referring to House Democrats.

Staff writer Anita Kumar contributed to this report.