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(BTW Is it really true that their staffs are paid more than the office holder? I thought the Rep/Senator got an allotment for staff and office expenses.)

I'm sure it depends,,, state to state, and even from one Congressional Office to another, depending on Seniority and Committee assignments.

In Iowa, Reps and Senators are paid about $23,000 annually, a 'clerk' is paid to assist us, Session Only. There is a caucus staff, each staffer monitors and handles several committees. They are paid in the $60,000 range. I don't have the figures on the Congressionals. Altho, I suspect the electeds are paid more than their staff.

Whatever the case, my point remains that staff becomes more powerful when term limits are in effect because it takes the electeds a while to learn to monitor the system.