Jason Chaffetz thinks federal lawmakers need a massive monthly stipend added to their $174,000 annual salary in order to cover housing. Unsurprisingly, he’s making this call just days before he exits Congress.
The timing is no accident. Politicians tend to speak with more honesty when they’re lame ducks — and they honestly believe that they deserve more money.
Part of the desire for more cash is ego, but part of it makes a bit of sense. Being a member of Congress is expensive, considering that members are expected to live in the state the represent while they work in Washington D.C. This requires either two mortgages or a rental or two just to work. It’s not uncommon to hear about many representatives sleeping in their offices to avoid the added expense their job requires.
But that doesn’t alleviate the fact that Americans are in no mood to hear them ask for more money when they already make so much — particularly while their approval ratings are so low and so many Americans are trying desperately to find good paying work.
Jason Chaffetz is on the way out, though, so he doesn’t mind the optics.
See how much more money he thinks his fellow lawmakers need on the next page:
They do nothing now to earn their salary, so screw them all.
No, Congress deserves a pay CUT!
So expensive to live in washington
No they do not. They. Never get anything done. How long since a budget has been balanced? How many months a year do they work? Most leave there millionaires, most or many are corrupt. Etc. etc.
They don’t need a pay raise.they have no integrity.
I propose a one-time substantial raise for the Senators and Congressmen if they would vote for term limits. 2 terms for Senators 6 terms for Congressmen.
Need a pay cut
Ah….NO.
Much of congress, such as himself, deserves nothing more than a stretch in GITMO
They don’t deserve jack$#%&!@*. They continue to undermine President Trump.. The only thing they deserve is too be voted out of office