Posted on 01/08/2023 4:56:11 PM PST by RandFan
When the federal government moved down to Washington, D.C., in 1800, lawmakers grumbled about leaving behind Philadelphia's plentiful accommodations for the new capital's limited housing stock of boarding houses and taverns.
Thus was established a tradition of politicians complaining about finding housing in D.C., which continues to this day.
Amongst the incoming 118th Congress are several freshmen progressive representatives who say that having to spend their $174,000 congressional salary on housing in the District is not just difficult but a deliberate effort to exclude them from the government.
"For those of us who are working-class, this is yet another reminder that this place wasn't designed for people who actually represent their communities," said freshman Rep. Delia Ramirez (D–Ill.) to The Cut yesterday.
Ramirez—herself a homeowner and landlord back in her district—said that D.C.'s housing costs are so high that she's had to give up on her plan of renting an apartment by herself. Instead, she is splitting the $3,000 rent on a Capitol Hill rowhouse with another congresswoman.
Some 34 percent of D.C. households, and 43 percent of renter households, are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Ramirez is certainly more fortunate than that. Per the numbers she gave The Cut, she's paying only 10 percent of her congressional salary on her D.C. accommodations.
The Cut nevertheless asserts that Ramirez "knows the housing struggle." She apparently isn't the only one.
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
They just have to survive a year or two. By then they will be MULTI-MILLIONAIRES on just $174,000/year salary.
I remember when Paul Ryan was living in his office , wonder how the poor boy is getting by these days?
A good fair simple solution.......
Don’t worry, they’ll be picking up a few million by the time they leave office.
Pick up an old Motel 6, hire a mall cop to run “security” and leave a light on for ‘em.
Although I don’t like him, Jonah Goldberg proposed congress go back to representing 6-7k people and working & voting from home. No need to live & work in DC.
It’s probably true.
Unless they’ve become super wealthy as politicians, I’m sure rent is high.
DC and environs is among the most expensive housing anywhere.
It comes from the massive corruption that has made the ruling elite and hangers on wealthy.
Many Congressional staffers do just that....with half a dozen or more sharing an apartment and depending on “events” to supply their food.
And those are the people who REALLY write those ream-length Omnibus bills.
Let them stay in their districts...as I have pushed for years...with technology there is no reason for them to be in DC...oh, wait...LOBBYISTS!!!
$3,000 per month rent is just a little over 20% of the 175K salary she’s getting paid. Sounds reasonable. If she doesn’t like it, a simple letter of resignation would be in order. Maybe she can get a government job in Ukraine.
You would think these progressives would find a place in the hood. But, no, they won’t have anything to do with the underclass, it’s beneath them. Just like a progressive.
Hell, they can live in their offices!
Totalitarianism always fails.
#Freedom_Works, DC does Not.
It's TIME to #DownSize_DC!
Restore the Constitution!Size DC!
Omnibus Bills should get anyone involved in the assembly of same, fired and prosecuted for financial crimes against the American People.
Beltopia too much for them?
Quite a few of them live in their offices.
She and AOC
36000 ain’t your entire salary for a year. Relax
Exactly
Sure it is. Even after taxes it’s a lot
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