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 vacations till they finish the job
bye
BS
Hell no
you need a 10% reduction per year until you all start doing your job you all are just not getting anything done over 1/2 of you jus6t went there for the money in it wish I was making $174,000 a year to work 6 months.
My husband worked all over the world. We ate the cost and did what we could. We didn’t make anywhere as much as you do. We did very nicely in life. You can also.
No they don’t. Seniors need their raises that Obama made them do without for 3 years.
These people are so out of touch it is scary!!!!!
So does the people on social security instead that pitifu2 dollar raise. that we got
I want to see them get by on social security, every time I get a small raise , Medicare goes up and it c osts me 3.00 every year