Posted on 04/04/2014 7:25:31 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
n an interview published Thursday in Roll Call, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) lamented that his $174,000 annual salary was not enough to live "decently" in Washington, D.C. "I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid," Moran said. "I understand that its widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world."
The remarks came as the House begins markup on a bill to fund all legislators' salaries. Moran is planning to introduce an amendment that would offer lawmakers a per diem, USA Today reports.
Moran stated that some members actually sleep in their offices while in session. But since his district is just across the river in northern Virginia, he doesn't have to maintain two homes (or a small apartment) like other members, as the Washington Post notes.
Our pay has been frozen for three years and were planning on freezing it a fourth year," Moran told Roll Call. "
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
If you think Congress members aren’t well treated, read this...
http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%270E%2C*PL[%3D%23P%20%20%0A
Doc his pay per salary of each person’s job he destroyed. He owes us $ for being in Congress. To the gulag!
then, stay the hell out of DC. The more time they spend in DC, the more of our money they spend.
1. Halve their salaries at least;
2. House them in military-style housing like that provided to field grade;
3. Wait a couple terms and see if they don’t term-limit themselves.
For those with short memories and the youngesters on this site.
This is not the first time that Congresscritters have complained about the high costs of living inside the beltway.
I have a very vivid memory from 1978 of a Congresscritter complaining about how difficult it was to maintain two residents - one in his district and one in DC. He too proposed a raise for all Congresscritters plus $ 50.00 per “Congressional Day” tax exemption for all Congresscritters. A “Congressional Day” was defined as any day that any part of Congress held a committee session. So, a properly scheduled session of Congress could provide a tax exemption every day even if the Congress was officially in recess.
What fired me up was that Congress decided that it was 3 times more dangerous for them to work inside the beltway than flying combat strikes in SEA. As a combat flyer I got a $ 500 per month tax exemption for every month I actually flew combat, one sortie or 30.
If Congress needs more money to live inside the beltway I suggest they first make use of all available government resources. This includes field conditions - a GP medium tent per Congresscritter, field showers and field mess. Then, since government quarters and meals are provided there is no additional per diem provided. If its good enough for our military, then it should be good enough for Congresscritters! After all they both serve the Republic and their service is critical to the Republic’s health. It’s only fair.
explains much
So, do what working people who can’t afford to live where they work do; live where you can afford to and commute to work!
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