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
No they don’t but they do deserve a decrease in their pay!
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! TO EVEN CONSIDER!
Who says they have to live in DC. There are plenty of towns outside the beltway that I’m sure they can afford to live in on their $174,000 per year. Commute like everyone else!!!!!! They knew it going in….so SHUT UP!!!
He is a fucking idiot he needs a pay cut to 50 thousand a year not 174
Go home and work for your living, after term is up, no forever free salaries, no custom healthcare for you but not for the rest of us!
Be fair and honest with the American people!
They all seem to come home rich off the term in
D.C. Corruption, greed,
Self serving.
Always whining for more money. Well seniors need a big raise just to be able to live ah.
Not!!!!
They shouldn’t make half that they already do. The rest of us are employed and receive wage increases due to job performance. If that was the case for them then they are Waaay overpaid
NO RAISES FOR CONGRESS!