Chaffetz To Taxpayers: Congressmen Need More Perks

Jason Chaffetz
Raise your hand if you want free taxpayer money...

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), urged the all House and Senate lawmakers should receive a $2,500 housing stipend perm month.

He explained how the monthly allowance would greatly help lawmakers afford housing. “I really do believe Congress would be much better served if there was a housing allowance for members of Congress.”

“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,” Chaffetz added.

With two of his children attending college in Virginia and Utah, respectively, Chaffetz argued that it would be impossible for him to manage his housing expenses.

“Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive places in the world, and I flat-out cannot afford a mortgage in Utah, kids in college and a second place here in Washington, D.C.,” Chaffetz said. “I think a $2,500 housing allowance would be appropriate and a real help to have at least a decent quality of life in Washington if you’re going to expect people to spend hundreds of nights a year here. …

“There are dozens upon dozens of members living in their offices, and I don’t know how healthy that is long term.”

It “would allow the non-millionaires to participate and you would be able to have your spouse join you here,” said Chaffetz, 50, who’s spent 1,500 nights away from his wife and children during his eight-plus years in Congress. “If I wasn’t buying as many airline tickets, it would ultimately be less expensive.”

Although, Cheffetz is set to resign from the House, this Friday, and plans on taking a position on a corporate board, as he believes that he could greatly benefit the IT sector. He states, that, “Particularly in the IT sector, the IT companies of this country don’t understand Washington, D.C., and I feel Washington, D.C., doesn’t understand IT,” he continued. “There are some real big questions about drone technology, who’s going to control that, who’s the law enforcement for that; autonomous vehicles; privacy issues; immigration issues.”

Adam Campbell is a former military brat, who grew up all over the world--but considers Milwaukee, WI, where he and his wife currently live, to be his home. He enjoys reporting the real news, without bias.