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:
When Congress starts working 40 hrs. a wk./52 weeks and accomplishes something for the good of the people. It might be a consideration. I think the voters should be the ones who decide if they need a raise!!
Amen to that sister.. so sick of Congress
OR live within your means…probably LoTs of homes out there that cost less and are refurnished, etc for less and less often. How can he say something SO ridiculous, when seniors didn’t need a tiny COA ‘because gas prices were low’
Nope!! Not until you balance the budget and the deficit is paid will you get another raise!! Do your jobs!!
Wrong
All of you should have a freeze on your wages until this country is made great again!!!
They kill me they can live on what I have to live on I want to see them figure out how they are going to pay for medicine and food on my income pieces of s**t can go to hell for all I care give them a raise while they want me to believe someone who in this country illegally deserves the right to live off the tax payer bunch of bs
no way.
its a good thing he is done in DC then.
Yeah buddy, wait right there for that.