Posted on 12/18/2014 4:56:11 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Sen. Mark Begich can still return to the Senate.
Even though lawmakers who will not be returning to Congress in January might feel downtrodden, they can find solace in the fact that they retain some congressional perks.
Those perks, ranging from floor access to permanent identification cards, were outlined in the Congressional Research Service’s Dec. 5 report titled “Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Former Members of Congress.” CRS American National Government specialist R. Eric Peterson wrote in the report, “Some [privileges] are derived from law and chamber rules, but others are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom.”
CRS issues the report near the end of each Congress, and the content of this year’s report is the same as 2012. According to Peterson, the privileges extended to departing lawmakers have not changed in decades.
These privileges include access to the floor of the chamber where they served, though senators who have not served in the House are traditionally granted House access as well. However, that access is revoked if the former member becomes a lobbyist or an “agent of foreign principal,” meaning someone who advocates on behalf of foreign governments, political parties or organizations.
If those lawmakers are visiting the floor, they can also park in House and Senate parking lots. They can still access House and Senate gyms after they leave as well, though for a fee. Congressional Research Service reports are also available to former members, though they can no longer request that the CRS conduct original research on their behalf.
Former members of Congress can also obtain a permanent identification card from the clerk of the House or the Senate sergeant-at-arms, and become members of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.
no more than 2 terms for any office
no more LIFELONG government jobs either - ESPECIALLY jobs that have “20 and out” retirement benefits.
If any freeper here has one and you don't see the downside of it, you are not a true conservative- I don't BLAME anyone for taking advantage of it, I would too- since the rules exist... but I would still agree it is a BAD BAD policy. Especially when govt employees "retire" after 20 years and then come back as a contractor to their current job (at now twice the pay) THIS IS WHAT IS BANKRUPTING US
So by your definition, military retirees aren't true conservatives.
Gotcha. Thanks for playing.
So you don’t see the difference between risking your life for 20 or 30 years in the armed forces (or being disabled as a result of your service) and the lady at the DMV office?
Same-same.
And here I thought “CRS” meant “Can’t Remember Sh!t”.
Actually, it means “Can’t Run Squat”.
I’ve heard that of their numerous offices they are allowed to keep all the furniture from one office of their choice.
Not sure if it is true but if so it is a waste of taxpayer money.
Looks like they have to turn in their ermine-trimmed robes, though.
Two terms in The Senate (twelve years) and six terms in The House (also twelve). Federal judgeships ten twelve or fifteen, as lomg as the appointments are no longer lifetime. And one go-round only!
They have made themselves a well-paid ruling elite, protected from the problems of everyday life, like having to find a job to pay bills.
6 terms in The House is NOT what the framers had in mind and I agree- they get elected, then spend the next 2 years buying their re-election, for life. (or 12 years by your suggestion)
They only created a 2 year term for House members because they envisioned people going there and then coming back home TO THEIR JOBS or FARMS- who is going to hold a position open for 12 years?
I would even like to see ONE term for the house- you go and you watch out for the well being of your LOCAL people. - NOT go there for life and constantly plot for more power for government. That way NO TIME is spent on re-election.
And I CAN RanDOMlty CAPitalize MORE if it conVINCES you!
SORRY!! I should have said excluding military!!
Of course not to mention the cushy lobbying jobs they will get.
In fact that is what I was thinking - everyone EXCEPT the military.
I can’t see sitting on your butt at the DMV for 20 years and then being able to ‘retire’ at age 38 (i know someone who did TWICE and is working a 3rd job as a contractor at age 59- making 300K pushing paper around for the government)
IIRC, a congressman becomes entitled to lifetime pension and health benefits after serving one day of one term in office.
It’s completely outrageous.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong...
So the promises made by the representatives of the United States to keep someone in peril of their life for up to 30 years can be lightly cast aside if there are budget problems?
Take a seat like Nancy Pelosi's - great, we get her out of there. Sincerely, that's great.
But who will replace her? A Republican? LOL! Nope, she'll be replaced by the hand-picked stooge of the Democratic Party, selected solely for his fealty to their agenda. It's an automatic win for the guy, two terms. He'll agree to do exactly what the party says, exactly when they tell him to do it. In exchange, he'll be promised a cushy no-show job on the board of whatever corporation owes him for his votes.
Give GE huge government contracts, huge tax exemptions, etc. Serve your two terms, then serve on the GE board of directors for the rest of your life, at six figures a year. You can have four or ten or twelve of these sorts of positions if you play your cards right.
And when you're term-limited out, they'll be another shidrool eagerly taking the same deal for the same seat. Nobody will ever even have to worry about answering to the people, they'll answer only to the party.
Not cast aside...but they need to transition to a defined contribution system. Yes, even military members should contribute to their own retirement, like most every other profession or line of work.
And it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
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