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:
They are pissed cause they cant get kick backs no more from the lobbyist,,for favors that just not going to happen
Sorry but none of them deserve a pay raise. Maybe if they stayed around and did their job the people would feel differently!!!!!
you still haven’t done what you were paid for
You go on fox you going to show your butt likr the other girls huh.
No they don’t. If American ‘a can live on far less so can congress.
heard you were going to fox, disappointed in you, you could have help, but I guess money is what you want
NOW is not the time, Jason….Congress has been doing NOTHING for 8 damned years now….it’s time to EARN payraises, like the rest of us do!
They are all millionaires.,as it is!!
Dude, I need a raise so I can pay for 1 home. Screw you
They don’t work enough to deserve what they get paid already!!