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:
Career crooks….
No raises for Congress, they are over paid now!
No.
Noway
NO!
Color me oh so not sympathetic to the housing plight of our elected officials. It was their decision to run for office with their eyes wide open. Many already own a few homes here and their. Tell me, please, how Maxine Waters affords a $1.5 million dollar home on a Congressperson’s salary. How does Sen. Bernie Sanders afford multiple homes on his Senate salary? Senior citizens don’t get a cost of living increase. Congress votes itself a raise in salary at the drop of a hat. Do not feed me the line about needing a housing allowance. Congratulations on having three children in college, but don’t expect the taxpayers to fund Congress more than they already do. This is another reason for term limits!
And what did any of doing to deserve a raise.
You already get to much for all you don’t do, give a raise to those that really need it, the tax payers, the people!!
Not on your life
HE RESIGNED FROM CONGRESS