Retiring Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., is aware that Congress is unpopular, but he still thinks the legislative body deserves a raise. I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid, Moran, whos announced he will leave office when the current Congress ends, told the newspaper Roll Call. I understand that its widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world. Rank-and-file members of Congress make a yearly salary of $174,000 -- well above the median household income in Washington, D.C., which between 2008 and 2012 was $64,267. Still, Moran said, A lot of members cant even afford to live decently in Washington. Thats more likely the case for lawmakers who represent districts farther away than Morans Northern Virginia district -- members typically have a home in their district as well as somewhere to stay in Washington. Moran is far from one of the wealthiest members of Congress, Roll Call noted -- his last financial disclosure form indicated his only financial asset was a money market account with $1,000 to $15,000. The congressman said he plans to introduce an amendment to a spending bill that would give legislators a per diem payment to cover housing costs. Congressional salaries have been frozen at $174,000 since 2009.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 17:05:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015