Capitol Hill staffers don’t have it easy. They’re overworked to the point of exhaustion, and they aren’t immune to the vagaries of the economy.
Entry-level Senate staffers earn $55,106 a year, according to the Congressional Research Service, while the House sets a $45,000 minimum salary for full-time aides — both well above the national average entry-level pay of $33,318. But inside the Capitol, the latest cost-of-living crisis isn’t rent or groceries. It’s caffeine.
Celsius, as the Washington Examiner previously reported, is the fuel that keeps the Capitol engine running, so staffers are understandably up in arms as the cost of a can has suddenly spiked by a whopping 10 cents to now cost $4. The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity. The rise in price could add an additional $50 a year to an already necessary caffeine budget.
“It’s an open secret that the Hill runs off Celsius, so when prices rose by $0.10 without notice, it came as a bit of a shock,” one Senate staffer told the Washington Examiner. “That adds up over time. And to make matters worse, they neglected to update the listed prices for at least three weeks, meaning the price increase was only discovered at the point of sale. It’s especially upsetting at a time when affordability should be top of mind for members of both parties.”
Another Senate staffer was more succinct. “Terrible,” they said of the cost increase.
“Shameful!!” a former House staffer and Celsius enthusiast exclaimed to the Washington Examiner. “What is this administration’s plan to lower Celsius prices?”
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Affordability was a central focus for last year’s elections as both Govs. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) focused much of their campaigns on affordability, as did New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. It has become one of the top issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as both parties rush to find messaging that resonates in hopes of picking up seats in either chamber.
Not only do Capitol Hill staffers drink Celsius, but so do members of Congress, lobbyists, and federal workers. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is known to be a connoisseur.
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“It’s frustrating to see them cash in on their popularity,” government relations associate Jane Evans told the Washington Examiner. “Knowing they’re raising prices makes me think twice about buying one, particularly since my office supplies them anyway.”
Rising prices are at the forefront of voters’ minds across the country, as Washington is not the only place with rising Celsius costs.
“It must be a Capitol thing!” a New York political operative said. “The price went up to $4 in the New York State Capitol!!”