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 raises for Congress untill Social Security goes up significantly.
Take the same raise if a whopping 3 dollars that you gave us seniors….you should aso have the same medical plan that you vote for the rest of people are offered. Also need to get a cut your outrageous pensions for life…
Thanks Darlene
How much money have you taken from Lobbyists? Getting money from them negates the necessity of a raise.
No
Bwahahahahaha . Yeah right.
174,000.00 and he’s not worth .50
Cut out lunches, cut out bulls**t and they may work 3 months out of a year!
Build them tiny apartments & the problem would be solved. Bunch of useless jerks would then want the tax payers to pay the electric, wtaer & cleaning for them also.
If congress would do the work they are paid to do they might deserve half of what they get now! Grossly overpaid now