Jason Chaffetz thinks federal lawmakers need a massive monthly stipend added to their $174,000 annual salary in order to cover housing. Unsurprisingly, he’s making this call just days before he exits Congress.
The timing is no accident. Politicians tend to speak with more honesty when they’re lame ducks — and they honestly believe that they deserve more money.
Part of the desire for more cash is ego, but part of it makes a bit of sense. Being a member of Congress is expensive, considering that members are expected to live in the state the represent while they work in Washington D.C. This requires either two mortgages or a rental or two just to work. It’s not uncommon to hear about many representatives sleeping in their offices to avoid the added expense their job requires.
But that doesn’t alleviate the fact that Americans are in no mood to hear them ask for more money when they already make so much — particularly while their approval ratings are so low and so many Americans are trying desperately to find good paying work.
Jason Chaffetz is on the way out, though, so he doesn’t mind the optics.
See how much more money he thinks his fellow lawmakers need on the next page:
No
They don’t even need to fly in to vote. Can do it electronically!
Actually NONE of them should ever abstain from voting. Either Yea or Nay. And it should be printed in all of their districts papers how they voted.
Do you realize Obama when he was in the senate, in2007 only voted 50% of the time. What are we paying them for??? To be present???
No, they should HAVE TO VOTE yes or no. And if away they can phone it in. THATS what we pay them for!
No you don’t deserve anything. Pathetic loser. Patrick
HELL NO, THEY ARE ALREADY OVER PAID. THEY DON’T WORK ENOUGH TO EARN WHAT THEY MAKE. IT IS TIME TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS AND ELDERLY FAIRLY.
Oh hell no!!
No you assholes need a 50% pay cut
Pay for your own Fg house. Everyone else has to.
I think they ought to all stay in barracks on base, say in Anacostia instead of living the high life.
this political scum need to go .. they work 2 days a week ? let them get out in the real world .. and need five or six days a week to try to make it .. and the idiots who vote these no loads in to office well i got something for ya MOVE TO IRAN .
For what? They don’t deserve half what they already get.