Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth'
Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth'
He's not alone: AOC and others have argued lawmakers should be paid more in order to protect against corruption and make the job more accessible.
He's not alone: AOC and others have argued lawmakers should be paid more in order to protect against corruption and make the job more accessible.
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I am not fundamentally against giving Congress a pay raise, their last pay raise was in 2009 and it's probably time to give them a cost of living adjustment. I'm not opposed to giving Congress a pay raise to encourage a wider range or people to run in the hope that we can have better Congressmen. There are Congressmen who come from already expensive areas where $174,000 isn't a lot (such as AOC) and so they may need more pay. Washington is an expensive place and so are the surrounding areas, there is an argument that they need high pay to run their house in their home state and pay for expenses in DC.
The problem I have is with the argument that paying Congress more would either help eliminate corruption or that Congressmen can make more money working somewhere else.
The first paragraph of arguments is a real discussion and should be solved. Patrick McHenry doesn't fit that criteria. $174k is a very good wage in his district and a quick search of some public records shows he has owned multiple properties and even owns a separate lake property as well.
So if living very comfortably, almost lavishly in comparison to the people in his district, isn't enough then what is? What is the lifestyle expectation for a Congressman? I personally don't think a Congressional job should be about making people wealthy. If this isn't enough then nothing would be.
I am not fundamentally against giving Congress a pay raise, their last pay raise was in 2009
So was the last increase to the federal minimum wage. I have no sympathy for those who won't raise it.
Set their pay to be the lowest military pay at E-1 salary anytime there's a war on or troops are: in combat, deployed, or enlisted are staged even in a supporting roll in someone else's warzone.
Let see how long it takes for congress to find a way to end the wars and bring the troops home from the southern boarders if they're all getting E1 pay. Or maybe they really do believe what they're preaching and will be willing to do without for the war effort.