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Posted on 12/02/2004 2:14:18 PM PST by KeyLargo
Daschle staffers to get severance
By Denise Ross, Journal Staff Writer
The U.S. Senate unanimously approved two months' worth of severance pay for the employees of Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in the wake of his Nov. 2 defeat by Republican John Thune.
As one of their last acts before they adjourned in the early morning hours of Nov. 21, senators voted to change the rules governing the chamber to provide the severance pay and benefits package, which is expected to cost taxpayers at least $656,480.
Such severance packages have not been extended to staff members of defeated senators in the past.
Daschle has about 80 employees at his South Dakota field offices, his Senate office on Capitol Hill and his Senate minority leader office in the Capitol itself.
The $656,480 estimate comes from multiplying the estimated number of employees eligible for severance by two months' worth of the average annual salary — $49,236 — of a Senate employee. The cost of benefits has not been figured in.
That average salary comes from a 2001 report released by the Congressional Management Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in Washington, D.C.
The severance pay will begin after Thune is sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 4.
The severance package is the result of Senate Resolution No. 478, a rule change that amends earlier resolutions granting similar severance packages to employees of senators who die while in office or resign.
The resolution grants severance pay to employees of all senators defeated in an election, but this year, only Daschle fits that category.
Under the resolution, such severance pay will be granted in the future to the staff members of defeated senators.
Aides must have worked for a senator for a minimum of 183 days to get the severance package. According to The Hill newspaper, severance payments would stop after eligible staffers get new jobs.
In addition, The Hill reported that the rule change "applies the benefit to the Senate's president pro tempore emeritus, a title created for Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), who gave up the office of president pro tempore to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) when Republicans regained control of the Senate. Byrd was able to maintain his chauffeur-driven Cadillac and a small staff when he assumed the emeritus post."
Contact Denise Ross at 394-8438 or denise.ross@rapidcityjournal.com
It looks like the Daschel flunkies will get a nice Christmas present at taxpayers expense.
Will Daschel get to keep the step-stool that he had to stand on to see over the podium?
Who voted for this? Sheesh. Why should Daschle's staffers get this perk? That's the risk you take when you work for a politician. You lose your job when he loses his.
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What a PORKFEST! Thank God I (as a voting South Dakotan) did my duty and removed this crooked guy.
Payoffs to potential authors....
We never hear about this stuff, do we?
Sucking every penny out of us to the very end. What a prick, I am glad he's gone.
Well, you have a point there. But I resent that my tax dollars are paying off these people.
"Your government at work." /sarcasm
Screw this noise, let Linda Daschle pick up the tab, she's made millions with her lobbying activities over on the House side, and you can bet the rent Tiny Tom will soon be joining her in fleecing us all some more!
How many homeless people could we feed for $656,480? How many clean needles could we distribute for $656,480? How many "choices" could we pay for at abortion clinics for $656,480?
Sad, sad, sad. Liberals everywhere should be hanging their heads in shame.
I don't think that is why I send tax money to Washington. Why can Byrd drive his own butt around?
"The U.S. Senate unanimously approved ..."
Everybody present did, and I bet it was on a voice vote.
The key part of this article is that it will apply to all future staff of defeated Senators.
Agreed.
This is totally out of control.
Piss on all of them and those that voted for it.
Sorry - I missed that part since I'm seeing red over this.
All future staffers?????? What kind of crap is this?
Oops! That should have been why can't Byrd drive his own butt around in his own vehicle?
Bingo! Clintonista style hush money. I'm sure some staffers have some juicy details on the 1998 election fraud on Daschle's part as well as attempts on this go around. It's not the books Daschle fears. It's jail.
Republican senators, hang your heads in shame! You had the votes to block this but opted instead to stick it to the taxpayer yet again.
What do they care? Its not their money, ITS OURS!
Gee, wasn't Congress originally intended as a part-time gig?
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