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:
you are not earning your pay check now!!!
How about paying back social security and giving us a raise?
Oh hell no what about the US citizens that have live on min.wages and the Senior citizens and disabled hasent had a raise in 8 years .
PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT ON 800.00 A MONTH CHOOSE BETWEEN FOOD OR MIDICINE…GIVE ME A BREAK they already have more perks than they deserve
You deserve nothing!!!! Bums! All of you are bums!!!
Go home, Jason. You’re drunk.
Congress dies NOT deserve a raise ! They haven’t even earned the salaries they get !
No raises ever, making too much as it is, I say a pay cut till all money is returned to Medicare and we maintain a balanced budget for 10 years before you even concidered it. Can’t have it unless we vote the people vote on and we will till you the percentage you can have!!!!!!!
Hell No
Hah!