Lawmakers: Chaffetz has a point on housing stipend

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Lawmakers of both parties aren’t endorsing Rep. Jason Chaffetz's suggestion that they be provided a $30,000-per-year housing stipend — but also say the outgoing lawmaker has a point.

The Utah Republican told The Hill days before resigning from Congress that lawmakers should get a $2,500 monthly allowance to pay for the high cost of living even part-time in Washington, D.C.

Salaries for members of Congress have been frozen since 2010, leading some to complain in recent years that it’s becoming difficult to maintain two places of residence. 

Yet lawmakers acknowledge it's a nonstarter to try to convince the public that a six-figure salary more than double the median American income isn't enough. 

"I think that my constituents right now probably don’t have a tremendous amount of sympathy for Congress," said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.).  

Rank-and-file lawmakers earn $174,000 annually, while members of leadership earn more. The Speaker makes the highest salary, at $223,500. 

The median American household income was $55,775 in 2015, according to a Census Bureau report last year.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/340321-lawmakers-chaffetz-has-a-point-on-housing-stipend

[JI7]

1. That's more than enough to live well

[benld74]

2. Wawawa

[shraby]

3. Don't they get a per diem also for living expenses while living more than 50 miles from their

permanent residence?

[WillowTree]

15. No.

I think that they do get a per diem for international travel, though.

[tanyev]

4. They could re-nationalize Trump's DC hotel for free Congressional housing.

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. Grand idea.

[Iliyah]

9. Plus 1

[csziggy]

12. That is a brilliant idea!

Walking distance to their places of work. The suites could be split up to make enough room for all the Representatives and Senators - or they could become roomies. In fact, MAKE them be roomies - but they have to share a room with someone from the other party!

[sarah FAILIN]

31. Brilliant!!

I was going to suggest dorms, but this is better.

[Delmette2.0]

46. Excellent idea.

I was just thinking about dorm rooms. I like the suggestion to share a room with someone from the other party.

[Hoyt]

6. I really don't care how much they make (within reason), as long as the do a decent job.

I think they are certainly worth as much as the average physician. While they are not in Washington at their desks 270 days a year, they are working most days, or should be. Most do have to maintain two houses.

[rurallib]

7. Gonna take a whopper of a sales pitch to get me to believe

that they can't live decently on a $174,000/year salary ($14,500/month)

We also pay a goodly portion of their expenses.
Perhaps it would do for some to downsize a bit back home.

Plus most members (I know not all) are fairly well off before they get to congress.

Doesn't pass the stink test for me.

[phylny]

50. If they need two residences, and one of them needs to be in the D.C. metro area then, yes,

it would be almost impossible on solely their salaries to make ends meet.

As you say, though, most are fairly well off beforehand

[rurallib]

55. My congress critter is probably the poorest in congress

he has a modest residential home in his district and I think he said a 2 room app't around DC.
I asked him before and he says he does ok. His lifestyle before congress was very modest.

Just having a hard time screwing up a lot of sympathy for repugs in particular who seem to want to live high on the hog and yet screw over the poor, the elderly etc. Maybe a little pain in their lives would be a good thing.

[Frustratedlady]

8. He should have figured that out before he ran for the job.

The rest of us have had to figure out how to fend for ourselves on much less, so let him try to figure it out for himself. Good lord, he's leaving anyway, so why is he concerned about those left behind? It looks like he over-bought on his own residence and can't keep up. Good ol' FOX will take care of him...maybe the Kochs will step in. He seems to be a whiner...maybe he thinks he has to get a lawyer. Well, if that's the case, don't expect any sympathy or concern from anybody.

[Make7]

10. "You know what, ̶A̶m̶e̶r̶i̶c̶a̶n̶s̶ lawmakers have choices. And they've got to make a choice."

"And so maybe, rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and they want to spend hundreds of dollars on, maybe they should invest in their own? ̶h̶e̶a̶l̶t̶h̶c̶a̶r̶e̶ ?housing."

[Adrahil]

29. Nicely done. NT

[Raster]

11. Tell ya what, lawmakers... I would like to see a COMPLETE AND UNBIASED...

...readout of exactly what you are paid, including any and all benefits, stipends, allotments, and emoluments. EVERYTHING. Everything to the fucking penny. EVERYTHING. We need to examine --and quantify-- all the *Members Only* Congressional Perks. I want to know how much you are able to access from your "left over from campaign" slush funds. I want to see the charges you don't have to pay at the Congressional Bank you are all paid from. I. WANT. TO. SEE. EVERYTHING.

I admit Mr. or Ms. Congressperson, it does appear that being a member of Congress appears to be a wealthy person's game. What I want to know is HOW MANY OF YOU INCREASE YOUR WEALTH DURING THE TIME YOU ARE A CONGRESSPERSON. That's right... before we have a financial pity party for Congress, I want to know how many of you --AND WHO-- INCREASED your personal wealth while you were a Congressperson. Further, I'd also like to take a look at your perks, pensions and benefits AFTER YOU LEAVE CONGRESS, THAT AMERICA IS STILL PAYING.

You get this information compiled into nice neat packages that all Congressional constituents may review in-depth... we'll call it a "fact-finding mission," although it will certainly bear no resemblance to those Congressional-only trips and junkets paid for by a multitude of factions, organizations and lobbying groups that enable you to travel free-of-charge to worldwide destinations.

And speaking of lobbying: The information we request will also need to include every benefit, perk or privilege supplied to you by the multi-billion dollar Congressional lobbying efforts.

So, you want more money? PUT UP OR SHUT UP. We'll be waiting.

[gratuitous]

21. And a few more requirements

Every member of Congress - Republican and Democrat - has to unanimously go for this, and sign up each and every month saying that they've got their hand out for the extra scratch. Random drug tests. Taxpayers deserve assurance that the money isn't going for drugs or alcohol. If a member of Congress can't produce a specimen on demand or if it shows positive for anything, they lose the benefit and have to pay everything they've taken back. Results get posted in the member's home district or state.

Any other punitive measures that lawmakers have put on citizens who have the temerity to not be wealthy in America?

[Xolodno]

13. Simple solution. Take a pay cut.

Use that cut to fund an apartment complex that gives them all a studio. Plus it could include a gym, pool, Jacuzzi, community room, bar, etc. Force members of opposing parties to talk to each other and find common ground, etc.

Plus, the complex could have extra subsidized housing for their staff.

[sarah FAILIN]

32. And they would get to feel secure

It would be lots easier to protect them all in one spot.

[ProfessorGAC]

44. Barracks

One of the men, and one for the women. Good enough for soldiers, good enough for people who only have to spend 18 weeks a year in DC.

[Thrill]

14. Lol they can't fund shit like SNAP and Meals on wheels but you can pay their mortgage

Kiss my ass

[oasis]

40. True that. Meals on Wheels on the chopping block because of GOP jerks

such as Chaffez.

Boo freakin' hoo, Jason.

[spanone]

16. i bet this gets bipartisan support and SAILS through congress...a pay raise?? FUCKING A

Last edited Sun Jul 2, 2017, 10:32 PM - Edit history (1)

[thinkingagain]

17. Maybe

Our reps in DC may need to choose between the latest iPhone or find cheaper housing
or get a second job
after all it seems that they are gone more than in session.

[elehhhhna]

18. A 17% increase what the fuck hell no

This jerk is it can't even raise minimum wage and balls of steel even floating this idea.

The congressman have finally invented an entitlement?

[Nwgirl503]

19. How do they report their government pay?

I'm looking at Chaffetz's 2014 Disclosure Report, and I don't see where he's reported it. Maybe someone else can take a look and tell me? Or is it not on the disclosure report?

http://pfds.opensecrets.org/N00028958_2014.pdf

[oberliner]

20. Wow

Perfect indication, I guess, of how little empathy and understanding there is for actual poor people.

[sheshe2]

22. They need to pull on their big boy pants.

Boot straps boys, pull em up, suck it up...poor poor pitiful you. Next thing ya know they will want food stamps for congress to pay for their $500 meals. They be so poor.

[Jake Stern]

23. Building college style accommodations in DC for legislators

is the only way I'd get behind any housing proposal.

[Heaven Sent]

48. Or, as suggested above, nationalize the Trump Hotel in DC

and make it a mandatory place for Senators/Reps to stay, 1-1 opposite side. They can still get their beds, Internet, and feed in the same place. Why do they need to maintain a 2,500 monthly allowance when taking over on one of Trumps properties will take care of the job for them.

Does that work for ya guys? Sure as hell does. They don't need a car either since they are within walking distance to their offices.

[Jake Stern]

57. Indeed.

[Solly Mack]

24. Don't want to feed the hungry or provide actual health care to people

but could those same people struggling spare a dime to make your house payments and rent for you.

Yeah, right.

Don't you have refrigerators and televisions? Don't you have iPhones and the internet?

Perhaps you're just not managing your money wisely.

Why should we pay your bills for you when you aren't living within your means?

How is your reckless lifestyle our responsibility?

Add the rest of the reasons why some in Congress claim they can't help the people.

[SaschaHM]

25. I do think affordable housing should be made available to congress members...

The last thing that anyone wants it for the U.S. Congress to be "priced out" in such a way that only the wealthy can afford to be in Congress. So while I don't endorse this 30,000 a month business, I do think it's something that should be looked into.

[Raster]

28. And whenever they shut down government with their one of their funding hissy fits...

...they should be locked out until they adequately fund the government.

[JI7]

30. there are many people who live in DC who make FAR FAR FAR less

these people most likely think they can live like the wealthiest of congress members. maybe do as Joe Biden did and take the AMtrak and whatever else to save money.

[SaschaHM]

33. Those folks aren't expected to maintain 2 residences and Joe Biden's Amtrak thing only worked

because he lived in Delaware. That becomes prohibitively expensive/impossible 2-3 states over.

Should they live in a cheaper neighborhood? Maybe, but then either the cost of congressional security gets paid by the taxpayers and/or they start to price out the poor that lived in those neighborhoods. Nothing is going to raise the rent on poor households like 400+ members of congress and 100+ lobbyists seeking to influence them coming in and invading their space.

They could shift around some money that they have for office employees, but that too affects their constituents and puts someone else out of a job.

[JI7]

34. raise the minimum wage to help those who live in cheaper neighborhoods.

share houses, apartments etc.

they make enough to live comfortably without having to live in the poorest areas.

[ck4829]

41. Affordable housing should be made available to all people.

[SaschaHM]

49. Something that probably won't happen if millionaires/billionaires are the only ones that can afford

to be in Congress.

[octoberlib]

45. +1 Millionaires shouldn't be the only people

who can afford to run for Congress.

[bluecollar2]

26. put them up in section 8 housing

And make them take public transit.

Also drug test them all.

See if they learn anything

[demtenjeep]

27. my salary has been frozen for 8 years thanks to asshole politicians

and I am just a lowly teacher for only 20 years

these guys can kiss my ass

[Sneederbunk]

35. Congressmen should live in a dorm. Better yet, a tent city.

[Blindingly apparent]

36. Dorms with housemothers maintaining curfew and Overnight visitation rules

Room and board for weekdays when Congress is in session. On weekends and congressional recess, they either pay for themselves or go home to the congressional districts

[pansypoo53219]

37. TRY PAYING RENT ON MINIMUM WAGE! democrats need to tie these together.

[greymattermom]

52. Give them minimum wage

as a housing stipend. Their stipend will always be the federal minimum wage, about $1200 a month minus taxes. If they want a bigger housing stipend they have to increase the federal minimum wage.

[Vinca]

38. I want a housing stipend, too. It's time for people with money to stop getting all the money.

[Lee-Lee]

39. I wonder why they want a "stipend" and not just a pay increase?

Do they think that the "stipend" will sound better to the constituents when they vote for it?

Do they plan on making their stipend tax free when they create the law?

[ck4829]

42. We pay for their healthcare and they deny it to us. Are they going to deny us this too?

[Demsrule86]

43. No, Absolutely no stipend for those who are trying to steal bread from the mouths

of children (Republicans).

[Adrahil]

47. Aren't Congressfolks eligible for the same federal housing programs as anyone else?

Jeez... this pisses me off. And it's exactly like a GrOPer to bring crap like this up.

[kacekwl]

51. How bout this moochers, we get to see your WHOLE tax return for the last 20 years .

Then if your combined total household income (including $$$ from your spouse's millionaire family or your millionaire family) and if it is under 300 thousand and you can pass random drug tests then we will talk.

[NobodyHere]

53. Boo-fucking-hoo

These guys make 3 times the median American income. Surely they can afford two residences.

[dawg]

54. I know I couldn't make it on a paltry $174,000 a year.

"But you just don't understand, dawg! The rent is really high in D.C."

Then rent a trailer in Bumfuck, VA or N. Bumfuck, MD, and commute like the rest of us!

[atreides1]

56. Military barracks space!

Fort Belvoir in Virginia, Andrews Air Force Base and Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland!

Either utilize any empty barracks/housing or build a living area for members of Congress on those three bases!

Their states would be required to pay for half of any construction fees, for building new housing!

1. This housing would be available for any member of Congress who meets specific income requirements and distance from D.C.
(all millionaires would be disqualified as well as any members of Congress who live within 200 miles of D.C.)
2. Maintenance of these facilities would be paid for by all states with voting members of Congress
3. Those with families in the area will qualify for standard housing, those without families will reside in barracks space
4. All visitors will be vetted by US military law enforcement, before being allowed on base
5. Members of Congress will be responsible for their own food and other amenities, and unless authorized will not be able to use PX/BX and Commissary facilities!
(Either a military retiree, or a spouse who is a military retiree)

[crazycatlady]

58. If anyone should get a housing stipend

It should be their unpaid interns on Capitol Hill. Many of them go into debt for it.

[flotsam]

59. Nice little housing stipend...

Anyone gonna point out that this little perk is twice what a couple living on SS receives?