Posted on 01/10/2011 8:56:51 AM PST by Libloather
Congressmen Break Out the Cots to Bunk in the Office
Posted by Stephanie Condon
January 7, 2011 10:31 AM
After getting elected to the 112th Congress as Washington "outsiders," several new lawmakers are stressing that they're simply visitors here in the nation's capitol, working on behalf of their constituents -- and that means avoiding putting down roots.
At least 40 or 50 congressmen, including as many as a dozen freshmen, are opting to sleep in their offices instead of renting or buying apartments, the New York Times reports. While both Democrats and Republicans are choosing to bunk their offices, the Times says it found only male lawmakers going that route.
**SNIP**
The inconveniences of sleeping in the office may be worth it, given the cost of the alternative. Though the base pay for congressmen is $174,000, Washington, D.C. is one of the most expensive rental markets in the nation. Furthermore, many congressmen have left their families back in their home districts.
Newsweek surveyed 46 of the 107 freshman members of Congress and found only one (Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah) who plans to bring his family to Washington.
Freshman Rep. Kristi Noem, a Republican from South Dakota, told Newsweek, "If we would have had to move here, I simply wouldn't have run."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Hopefully the preety young staffers can find seperate digs.
What these Congress Critters need to do is find a DC girlfriend they can bunk part time with. It gets old pretty fast sleeping in your office. In fact I don’t believe them
So cheat on your wife back home and hook up with a nice DC gal who can cook among other things. She live in an apartment or condominium with an underground garage so your bunking/tryst arrangement will be kept quiet
How much of an allowance do these people get to remodel their office?
How big are the offices?
I was thinking it might not be bad if they had a small room off of their main office. Bed, small seating area, bathroom with shower, kitchenette. It could save money.
I don’t think most Congressional offices are any worse than a standard room at the Washington Marriott, and are probably nicer. There’s a free gym, restaurants, and free parking. Congress is typically in session less than 1/2 of the time. I’d save the money, too.
Their “offices” are generally very nice suites that already have a bedroom set up. Back in the 90’s, there was a (single) Congressman who did this and caught hell from his folks back home because they felt it was “beneath” their Rep to do so.
But with rents in DC going $1500+ a month for a Studio Apartment, housing is a huge expense.
With 40 to 50 planning on doing it, maybe it will catch on.
I think it would be a good use of money to buy an old hotel in the area to make efficiency apartments for Congressmen and women. Some could be two bedroom for members to share, or some could be one bedroom. Their spouses could come for visits, etc, but there would be no need to move their entire families there, and it could be much less expensive than renting a full apartment with all the amenities. They already have a full gym, etc. in the Capitol, don’t they? Having such ‘temporary lodgings’ would cement the idea that they’re not supposed to be there for a long time, so there’s no need to purchase a home, or rent a fancy apartment.
IF I lived in that area, I would open up an unused guest bedroom for a Congress critter of Conservative persuasion to have a place to live.
ONLY if it were privately owned and run and rents kept at a 'livable' versus luxury conditions.
The 'servants' pay and housing allowance should be he same as they allow for the military. If the military is expected to live on what the politicians feel is adequate for them - then it should be adequate for them also - same health plan and travel pay too.
Get a rep to propose this and let them explain how they deserve 5 times more 'pay' than the military. The law would not stand a chance - but at least the American people would get another layer of understanding just how "elite" these pompous as*s are.
Ditto for 'government workers' (which is a misnomer..."workers" implies they actually work. It should be "Government HALF workers as it takes at least 2 gov't 'workers' to get ONE job done.)
Senior members have offices that are roughly 18’ x 20’ plus a conference/staff room, a reception area and some back office space.
Junior members have smaller offices and a shared area for staffers, no conference room.
This story is straight up baloney. A desk and a couch, maybe a couple chairs, tops. That’s all they have in the offices.
Senators have much better digs, but even then are quite closely packed.
Oh, boo-hoo! Junior military personnel have for decades been forced to bunk on base because they can’t afford an apartment nearby.
Makes me wonder how the DC welfare class can afford DC housing. Seems like a way to save on federal costs would be to move all of DC's welfare clients to Maryland, tear down the buildings, and make apartments for federal officials at a more affordable price.
I remember catching a nonstop to DC in the early ‘90s and my Congressman happened to get the seat next to me back in the coach section. He said he flew home about every weekend since it was only about an hour plane ride and cost him a couple hundred bucks at most, maybe less depending on the day and time he traveled. I asked where he lived in DC and he said he stayed at a boarding house (sleeping room) a few blocks from the Capitol. That was his solution to the DC housing dilemma.
Sounds like a fair deal to me!
Open up a YMCA near the Capitol for Congressmen to bunk at.
Young man, there’s a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
They have everything that you need to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel ...
That’s kinda what I’m talking about; efficiency apartments. Nothing fancy, just a place to go home to at nights, and maybe have the wife or husband along, or visit from time to time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.