The senator's debt

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | March 26, 2005 | Editorial

[Graybeard58]

Sen. Joseph Lieberman owes the people of Connecticut $38,828.23 for playing hooky while running for the Democratic presidential nomination. His is among the highest tabs rung up by senators and representatives as they pursued higher office during the 2004 election cycle, according to a study by the National Taxpayers Union. In all, 25 members took $550,000 in salary under false pretenses, missing an aggregate 891 days of work while on the campaign trail.

Under federal law, congressional administrators are required to "deduct from the monthly payments (or other periodic payments authorized by law) of each Member or Delegate the amount of his salary for each day that he has been absent from the Senate or House, respectively, unless such Member or Delegate assigns as the reason for such absence the sickness of himself or of some member of his family." If the law isn't enforced or -- fat chance -- lawmakers don't comply voluntarily, it's up to Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert to make sure it is followed. But as Americans are all too aware, flouting fiduciary responsibility is a favorite pastime at the Capitol.

Sen. Lieberman missed 63 days in 2003 before he abandoned his candidacy. The NTU study did not account for the hundreds of other days the senator skipped work in 2000 when he ran for vice president or the ones he missed in 2001 or 2002 as he sought his party's presidential nod.

The worst offender, of course, was Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts (146 unexcused absences, $90,932.68). His running mate, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina (102, $63,543.16), finished third behind Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri (131, $81,262.53). Sen. Lieberman was fourth.

Republicans gained control of Congress a decade ago by pledging among other things to require senators and representatives to live up to the same laws that apply to ordinary Americans. That has turned out to be an empty promise, and as NTU President John Berthoud points out, lawmakers aren't "even following laws that apply explicitly to themselves."

Of course, Congress should never be put in the position of having to enforce the pay-docking statute. The proper course should be for senators and representatives seeking higher office to do what Sen. Bob Dole did in 1996 when he ran for president: resign. That would permit their states to elect or appoint successors to ensure continued representation and stop absentee lawmakers from bilking taxpayers.

But in the Capitol Hill culture of power and incumbency, Sen. Lieberman is more likely to issue taxpayers a $38,828.23 refund before the next aspirant for higher office does the honorable thing.

[pharmamom]

I didn't know that, but as the editorial says, fat chance. Cows will fly before any of those guys give up a dime. But they sure are eager to get their hands on my money!

[Diogenesis]

"The worst offender, of course, was Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts (146 unexcused absences, $90,932.68). "

Licorice: "Thats a lot of hamster pellets"

[Just A Nobody]

$274,566.60 is a start to fund personal accounts within the sociable security system. Any other members AWOL?

I suggested this very thing a couple of months ago in letters to many members of Congress.

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[nopardons]

bttt

[muir_redwoods]

I'm not sure about this. I'd like to be able to weigh the benefit to the country for every day these clowns aren't in congress. On a "fair value" basis we might owe them money considering the great service they do us by not being available to legislate.