Chaffetz calls for $2,500 legislator housing stipend

[EC]

Just days before he resigns from Congress, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Monday that House and Senate lawmakers should receive a $2,500 per month housing allowance — something he explained would help ease housing costs for members who can’t afford two mortgages or rents.

“I really do believe Congress would be much better served if there was a housing allowance for members of Congress,” Chaffetz told The Hill in an interview in his Capitol office, where he sleeps whenever he’s in Washington. “In today’s climate, nobody’s going to suggest or vote for a pay raise. But you shouldn’t have to be among the wealthiest of Americans to serve properly in Congress.”

More: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/339570-chaffetz-calls-for-2500-legislator-housing-stipend

Um .... no. You get paid, very well, for sitting on your arses, posturing, and insider trading.

[DCPatriot]

And that's MONTHLY.....not annually.

$30K per annum might rent you a one-bedroom apartment.    But not on Capitol Hill.

[Cripplecreek]

It sounds like a lot but it is DC. I know my congressman spent at least a year living in his office.

Ideally they shouldn't need housing for more than about 3 months total per year.

[Hoodat]

Just days before he resigns from Congress, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Monday that House and Senate lawmakers should receive a $2,500 per month housing allowance — something he explained would help ease housing costs for members who can’t afford two mortgages or rents.

Better yet, have Congressmen and Senators live in their own houses and work in offices in their own districts or state capitals respectively.  Any legislative business they need to achieve can be done by Webex.  K-Street would become vacant instantly.  And Congressmen would become accountable to their constituents.

[Cripplecreek]

Better yet, have Congressmen and Senators live in their own houses and work in offices in their own districts or state capitals respectively.  Any legislative business they need to achieve can be done by Webex.  K-Street would become vacant instantly.  And Congressmen would become accountable to their constituents.

Exactly. Lots of pro freedom advantages to be gained by sequestering them in their own states and districts.

It would probably eliminate the professional staffer class who are little more than in house lobbyists. It would make lobbying exponentially more expensive while the average citizen can just go to the local office

[Night Hides Not]

Cry me a river. They knew what they were getting themselves into when they ran for office. They're making about $175K per year. If they can't live on that, they shouldn't be involved in appropriating funds and passing budgets.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Give them rent free studio housing at Ft. Belvoir.  They can Metro to the Capitol.

[Bigun]

Just days before he resigns from Congress, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Monday that House and Senate lawmakers should receive a $2,500 per month housing allowance — something he explained would help ease housing costs for members who can’t afford two mortgages or rents.

“I really do believe Congress would be much better served if there was a housing allowance for members of Congress,” Chaffetz told The Hill in an interview in his Capitol office, where he sleeps whenever he’s in Washington. “In today’s climate, nobody’s going to suggest or vote for a pay raise. But you shouldn’t have to be among the wealthiest of Americans to serve properly in Congress.”

More: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/339570-chaffetz-calls-for-2500-legislator-housing-stipend

Um .... no. You get paid, very well, for sitting on your arses, posturing, and insider trading.

How about we just let you stay in your districts and do your business from there?  There is absolutely no need for you to congregate in Washington DC theses days.

[Millee]

Build some dorms. 

[EC]

Build some dorms.

That were my thought. Dorms or barracks.

[INVAR]

That were my thought. Dorms or barracks.

Let's do barracks to remind them they are but servants and nothing more.

5 AM reveille and 10 PM Lights Out sounds like a good policy to be implemented on them by me.

If they don't like that, keeping them in their home district is another option.  Empty Mordor on the Potomac.  It's a good idea.

[EC]

Let's do barracks to remind them they are but servants and nothing more.

5 AM reveille and 10 PM Lights Out sounds like a good policy to be implemented on them by me.

If they don't like that, keeping them in their home district is another option.  Empty Mordor on the Potomac.  It's a good idea.

Both work for me. Might be willing to go so far as to grant senators the equivalent of a BOQ, for the dignity of their states. But that's it.

[goodwithagun]

Better yet, have Congressmen and Senators live in their own houses and work in offices in their own districts or state capitals respectively.  Any legislative business they need to achieve can be done by Webex.  K-Street would become vacant instantly.  And Congressmen would become accountable to their constituents.

Agree! Give the Capitol building to national parks for tours. Sell office buildings to colleges and universities. Limit travel expenses to district/state only. Two staff persons per senator and one per rep, unless the congress critter wants to pay for more out of pocket.

[Right_in_Virginia]

That were my thought. Dorms or barracks.

Ft. Belvoir is just across the river. 

[EC]

Ft. Belvoir is just across the river.

Could always repurpose a prison. Get them used to the idea .... 

[Wingnut]

That were my thought. Dorms or barracks.

Fema Trailers.

[DCPatriot]

All joking aside...

Virtually all of them leave Congress, millionaires. 

And while term-limits appear the solution, it would merely escalate the corruption, with a 'Get it while you can' attitude.

Have no problem with dormitory-type housing for members of the House and Senate.  But it shouldn't be 'Free'.

And while it should be luxurious in terms of amenities, we're not talking 'Watergate' prestige.

LOL!....and as long as they think they need enhanced security, build it at Joint Base Andrews...to remind them while they commute...just how lucky they are.

[Smokin Joe]

Give them rent free studio housing at Ft. Belvoir.  They can Metro to the Capitol.

The per diem rate for DC is among the highest in the nation at roughly $250.00 per day. At the height of the oil boom, in North Dakota with rooms costing $200.00/night (if you could get one) the highest the per diem rate got was 56 dollars a day. If they are in DC, they should be able to deduct on form 2106 half of that $7500/month per diem amount or $3750/month for expenses, just for being there (no receipt required). So if the lobbyists take them out to lunch, and their expenses are little, that's that much money they don't pay taxes on, already. The 2500.00/month would be tax free money, offset (and then some) by the per diem allowance, and amount to a $30,000.00 cash raise.

[austingirl]

Better yet, have Congressmen and Senators live in their own houses and work in offices in their own districts or state capitals respectively.  Any legislative business they need to achieve can be done by Webex.  K-Street would become vacant instantly.  And Congressmen would become accountable to their constituents.

Love this idea!!!!

[Frank Cannon]

Chaffetz is a piece of shit. Go live in a cardboard box under a bridge if it is such a hardship for you millionaires.