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:
How do they deserve a raise when they are doing nothing for the people
They deserve to be disbanded and replaced. No raise.
Hell no
They do not need more money
Do not deserve a raise!
No
Man I didn’t even read this article. I started laughing and shaking my head nust from the title. Only carerr politicians want raises when they need to be voted out of office.
No let the government build dorms for the congress and senate elected officials to live in. Also enforcement of Term limits of2 terms and out.
Hell no! Go kick stones, we should be giving you a pay reduction oh say 30,000 a year. Show me in the constitution where it says elected officials are paid.
Then let HIM pay it!!!