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:
pass healthcare, tax reform, immigration reform, public school improvements, improved national security … then we voters will think about a pay raise.
Congress DOES NOT DESERVE A RAISE – WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO EARN ONE???
Sorry. No PERKS UNTIL HEALTHCARE AND TAX REFORM is done AND SENIORS GET A DECENT SOCIAL SECURITY INCREASE. YOU WORK 1/3 OF THE TIME AND AREN’T PASSING THE PRESIDENT’S AGENDA, AND WE’RE LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE FRAUD AND GRAFT IN CONGRESS. NOT A GOOD TIME TO REQUEST ADDUTIONAL PERKS. SORRY.
They get $10.00/ hr when they are at work, get a biometric system, so only those who work, get paid
Need a pay cut
He is crazy glad he’s going never accomplished anything all talk
Dorms… put them into dorms
Make it voluntary. No pay no benefits.
HEY$#%&!@*FOR BRAINS, IF ANYONE DESERVES A RAISE ITS THE PEOPLE TRYING TO STAY ALIVE ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK, AND BY THE WAY YOUR RAT BASTARD CONGRESS ARE THE4 ONES WHO MONEY FROM S.S. FOR OTHER THINGS YOU MOTHERFUCKERS BETTER FIND A WAY TO REPLACE WHAT YOU HAVE STOLEN FROM IT.!!!!!!
HELL NO!