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:
Instead of a pay raise per person, build a dorm for them with a low cost cafeteria.
Lot’s of unused bunks at Fort Meyers!!!
They don’t work hard enough to earn the money they get now. NO MORE RAISES!!!
Welcome to the real world Jason
If they got paid for what they do they would be broke
Go away. No raises.
99% deserve to be fired and no pension.
THEY SHOULD GET A PAY REDUCTION UNTIL THEY CAN DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM
Whole bunch nothing but takers.
Arrogsnt narcissists.