Jason Chaffetz thinks federal lawmakers need a massive monthly stipend added to their $174,000 annual salary in order to cover housing. Unsurprisingly, he’s making this call just days before he exits Congress.
The timing is no accident. Politicians tend to speak with more honesty when they’re lame ducks — and they honestly believe that they deserve more money.
Part of the desire for more cash is ego, but part of it makes a bit of sense. Being a member of Congress is expensive, considering that members are expected to live in the state the represent while they work in Washington D.C. This requires either two mortgages or a rental or two just to work. It’s not uncommon to hear about many representatives sleeping in their offices to avoid the added expense their job requires.
But that doesn’t alleviate the fact that Americans are in no mood to hear them ask for more money when they already make so much — particularly while their approval ratings are so low and so many Americans are trying desperately to find good paying work.
Jason Chaffetz is on the way out, though, so he doesn’t mind the optics.
See how much more money he thinks his fellow lawmakers need on the next page:
NO THEY DONT DESERVE A RAISE! WHAT THEY DESERVE IS A CUT IN PAY AND BENEFITS!!!!!!!!!
No
No
Go$#%&!@*yourself you already make too much
You need what !!!!! Don’t even go there. …go get a non-interest loan from Obama….he took your money too. Stupid…i would like to have an extra check each month just to buy food…
raise your already on a free ride and don,t do anything to earn whay your stealing now, besides you have your kick back money.
B******t!!! Take a cut, not a raise!!
I agree with Darlene Ingersoll
How about get out of the job then! These people have given us nothing in the way of laws that protect us, and now they say all we need is a little more money.
How about a SOCIAL SECURITY raise……we haven’t had one in 3 years……….And while your at it…..put term limits in the senate and congress………….!!!