Jason Chaffetz thinks federal lawmakers need a massive monthly stipend added to their $174,000 annual salary in order to cover housing. Unsurprisingly, he’s making this call just days before he exits Congress.
The timing is no accident. Politicians tend to speak with more honesty when they’re lame ducks — and they honestly believe that they deserve more money.
Part of the desire for more cash is ego, but part of it makes a bit of sense. Being a member of Congress is expensive, considering that members are expected to live in the state the represent while they work in Washington D.C. This requires either two mortgages or a rental or two just to work. It’s not uncommon to hear about many representatives sleeping in their offices to avoid the added expense their job requires.
But that doesn’t alleviate the fact that Americans are in no mood to hear them ask for more money when they already make so much — particularly while their approval ratings are so low and so many Americans are trying desperately to find good paying work.
Jason Chaffetz is on the way out, though, so he doesn’t mind the optics.
See how much more money he thinks his fellow lawmakers need on the next page:
Really,, if this is so true, why do so many ex Congress PEOPLE REMAIN IN WDC and not return to their home states. They all have campaign chests with thousands/millions in them. And they do finale, some do.
Maybe these politicians with pockets filled with tax payer money should start paying back the monies that they stole.
And taxpayers should have the same health plan as Congress.
And you wonder what’s wrong in DC.
Nothing BUT GREED, NEVER CAN GET ENOUGH !!
FORGET IT!!! TERM LIMITS…!!!!
SAME HEALTH CARE TOOOO!!!
B******t
I call BS, he did not say this and remember he left office, this is f**e$#%&!@*and bull
how stupid to buy a house for someone making more money than you