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:
Oh come on chaffetz you people don’t work more than 3 months s year.
Nooooooooo
Congress deserves NOTHING! We are on the brink of disaster and some fool thinks he deserves a raise ! If these idiots had taken care of business and stomped on our enemies we might not be on the brink of destruction.
Until you are responsible to the voters you deserve NOTHING.
Congress deserves a CUT in their PAY for their poor representation of their voters and lack of work days doing their job!
No raises you don’t work.
Do your job! Don’t worry about a raise!
Please put a stop to this lunacy. Social security does not pay out 2500 to singles, and would appreciate that much.
Sorry but you are already making as much in one day as Most American people do in a month
And I thought he was one of the good guys…JOKES ON ME