Why don't we help incoming Congress members relocate?

[dsc]

This is something many jobs do. Even as a teacher I was able to have access to some relocation help, though my grandmother is what made me able to relocate. It is an obvious problem to have newly elected law makers wind up in deep need of money and one that is fairly easy and cheap to fix. It could even be basically free. Congress members are elected for two years. Give them the option for an interest free advance of salary paid back over two years. Let them borrow up to $7200 payable at $300 a month.

[judesedit]

1. Great idea!

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Hey dsc!

I didn't realize you were a teacher. (Or if I did, I forgot)
What do you teach?

[dsc]

3. math mostly and a couple of social studies classes the last couple of years.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Asking Because...

...since I retired I sub math & science classes grades 7-12.
My wife was in in-classroom social worker/coteacher for Special Ed and she encouraged me to pursue this. Been doing it 4 years. 7-10 days a month, less when weather is golf friendly.
I only do social studies at the school right by our house. If I'm driving any distance, it's only math or science.

[moose65]

5. Good idea

DC is a fabulously expensive place to live.

I've often thought that with all the government buildings around there, that there ought to be some place that could be converted into "public housing" for them - maybe small one-bedroom units they could use until they make other arrangements. I don't know if many representatives move their entire families to DC. I could see it with Senators and their longer terms, but not sure about House members.

[MichMan]

6. They spend millions to be elected to positions that pay $200k a year

[dsc]

7. Not always and definitely not always their own money

While middle class members of Congress are rare they aren't non existent.

[Mr.Bill]

8. Good idea,

but I think it could be funded by their political parties.

[Wicked Blue]

9. I prefer helping incumbent (GOP) Congress members relocate

preferably to jail cells

[Polybius]

10. $300 a month?

No way. They can pay that $7,200 back by March 3rd. Their checks are huge.

[Igel]

13. Not really.

They get paid a fair amount, but have a house in their district and a family to help maintain.

Then they have a second household, for just the congresscritter, in DC. That's an extra $36k a year, not counting utilities, food, transportation ... (I wonder if that's deductible as an expense required for employment ... Should be. If yes, it's still a hit to that "fair amount." If no, it's a bigger hit.)

But that's just rent. That household needs crap. Kitchen stuff? Furniture? That would peak in the first month of the new gig, but isn't a trivial amount.

[Orrex]

11. I like it, but it should be means-tested

Many of our fine Representatives have a net worth somewhere north of 10,000X the national average, so I think we can forgo the relocation assistance for these people.

[Igel]

12. I'd prefer something like this bill.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/9416/titles

I think I remember hearing a long, long time ago that there were some sort of federal housing available to congressfolk--small, cramped, and old, but either cheap or free. So it wasn't used and was discontinued. (But this memory dates to the early '80s, at the latest, and maybe '70s, so if it's 100% mangled I wouldn't be surprised.)

[KentuckyWoman]

14. I object to interest free.

Taxpayers are borrowing money. Whatever that rate is, make the interest that rate. I believe it is now running about 2%.

Edit to add that a lot of federal office space are not being used because of Covid WFH. Could these not be converted to lodging?

[SharonClark]

15. Not seeing the need for this.

Can’t they deduct moving expenses, if they actually move, like the rest of us?

If not, they make better money than most and can afford the cost of moving.

[dsc]

16. We have one new Congressman from FL who can't get an apartment in DC

and AOC also had issues when she was elected.