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:
Why not build a barracks or dorm for them when they’re in town?
No big time!
NOPE!
T and A, bye. Report what really happened. Done with you liberal chain pullers dressed as real Americans.
You guys can’t get together and rent a big house ?
tuogh
Nope, not on your life. With all the money you fine folks get from lobbyists you guys should be buying your own healthcare also.
another politicians who works for himself. How much more than 174,000 does a politician need that they already receive from donators, lobbyists and foreign governments. Pay for your own health care, expenses and vote to use tax dollars on legal citizens who pay for your abuse of tax dollars.
Ummmm NOT!!!
(y) House them in barracks and feed them in mess halls.