By Free Republic | Created at 2025-01-03 16:12:30 | Updated at 2025-01-09 08:43:02
5 days ago
Congressmen Don't Need a Pay Raise; They Need Their States to Provide Homes Away From Home in D.C.
Washington Examiner | January 1, 2025 | Mark Tapscott
Posted on 01/03/2025 7:57:13 AM PST by re_tail20
One of the biggest reasons that 1,500-page monstrosity of a Continuing Resolution was defeated in the House of Representatives just before Christmas was the inclusion in it of a provision that would have increased congressional pay 3.8 percent, from the present $174,000 annually to $180,600.
Advertisement Every congressional pay raise proposal in recent decades has caused explosions of anger from constituents who see their own incomes being eaten away by the inflation, lowered productivity, decreased entrepreneurial vigor, and growing restrictions on individual freedom that Big Government always causes.
Congressional pay raise debates invariably prompt a great deal of demagoguery in the public debate, but one absolutely legitimate point that is invariably and repeatedly made by the elected official themselves is that they must shoulder the costs of maintaining two homes, one back in their state and one in the nation's capital.
That is a legitimate burden that deserves genuine consideration. But instead of continuously raising members' compensation while continuing to impose the two-homes burden, here's my modest proposal with an upside for everybody, including taxpayers and individuals elected to serve in Congress:
Why not have each state shoulder the costs of buying and maintaining a home in the national capital region for each of its elected senators and representatives? Given the costs of buying homes throughout the Washington, D.C. region, removing the necessity of a second mortgage would make a huge difference for senators and representatives, a difference far exceeding that of a 3.8 percent pay raise.
Alternatively, if officials back home don't want to be bothered with the costs of acquisition and maintenance, each state could provide a stipend to each of its senators and representatives to fund their living quarters while working on behalf of constituents in Congress.
If such a system were in place, over time we...
TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: congress
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1 posted on 01/03/2025 7:57:13 AM PST by re_tail20
To: re_tail20
Really? They don’t make enough to afford a house in their own state? Nonsense.
2 posted on 01/03/2025 7:59:06 AM PST by Teacher317
To: re_tail20
Sounds like a good idea. Then congressman couldn’t say they need a raise to afford a 2nd residence.
To: re_tail20
There should be a barracks for Congress when in session.
4 posted on 01/03/2025 8:00:47 AM PST by kosciusko51
To: re_tail20
For every percent REAL, inflation goes up, that is the percent congresses wage should be lowered.
5 posted on 01/03/2025 8:01:47 AM PST by crz
To: re_tail20
I’ve often wondered why Congress doesn’t build a dormitory for members to live in while in session in DC................
6 posted on 01/03/2025 8:03:47 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
To: re_tail20
move the working government to Lincoln Nebraska with each state providing housing for their representatives and staff. also, paying their representatives and staff. leave DC as an historic national park.
7 posted on 01/03/2025 8:04:32 AM PST by teeman8r (Armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world or something )
To: re_tail20
Yes. Instead of FedGov raping the taxpayer, require StateGov to rape the taxpayer.
8 posted on 01/03/2025 8:04:52 AM PST by HIDEK6 (God bless Donald Trump)
To: Red Badger
When I think of a dorm for Congress Critters, visions of Madison Cawthorne come to mind.
9 posted on 01/03/2025 8:05:18 AM PST by JudyinCanada
To: kosciusko51
I have said that for decades. A dorm they all have to live in. If security is an issue, then maybe 3 or 4 units at different locales. Same floor plans. They are there to work, not go to parties and need incentive to go home occasionally to meet with constituents and not lobbyists.
To: re_tail20
No one forced them to get involved in politics. If they don’t like the current arrangement tell them to get the eff out!
If they don’t like the pay, like everyone else, find another damn job.
11 posted on 01/03/2025 8:06:43 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
To: kosciusko51
Agreed. Congress is in session a total of 120 days (recently).
12 posted on 01/03/2025 8:07:03 AM PST by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
To: re_tail20
I have a transparency plan.
Every Congress-critter is required to wear a shirt advertising their largest lobbyist donor.
It could be the name of the law firm, corporation, non-profit whatever.
Their public sponsor is allowed to give them 100k in compensation for that endorsement.
13 posted on 01/03/2025 8:07:48 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
To: kosciusko51
STATES CAN BAND TOGETHER & BUY UP A COUPLE OF HOTELS.....HOUSE THEM THERE
14 posted on 01/03/2025 8:08:07 AM PST by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
To: cgbg
Absolutely! Make the Congressmen sew sponsorship logos all over their suits.
15 posted on 01/03/2025 8:09:08 AM PST by dinodino ( Cut it down anyway. )
To: re_tail20
Why not just assign married congress critters to junior enlisted married quarters at Ft. Belvoir and single “cc’ers” get to live in a barracks. I’ve held this opinion since I was first assigned to quarters at Ft. Belvoir in 1980, when I was in the Pentagon.
16 posted on 01/03/2025 8:09:54 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
To: re_tail20
A dorm room is good enough to have when attending college, it is good enough for these guys. There should be no exceptions. All live there are don’t be in congress. A small campus for 635 people, a few modest common areas and conference rooms. Cafeteria for meals.
To: re_tail20
Each state can purchase a block of apartments in Washington DC.
18 posted on 01/03/2025 8:11:44 AM PST by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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