Choose Wisely

Virginia Beach VA

Description

In addition to their annual $174,000.00 salary. Members of Congress also approved the following for themselves. 1). Outside income is restricted, but members of Congress often received exemptions. Some members were employed by a federal contractor – reaping billions in taxpayer funds – located in the member’s district while key executives donated five and six figures to the member’s campaign fund. For example, during a 13-year period, Vanderbilt University employed Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) and paid him $250,000 in total salary (2005-2018). The university received $2.6 billion in federal contracts, grants, and direct payments from 2014-2018. The powerful congressman serves on the Budget Committee and on Oversight and Government Reform. Located in his district, Vanderbilt’s executives and employees are Cooper’s #1 campaign contributor ($135,261). No member of Congress has ever been stripped of their federal pension due to a conviction because the ethics law is riddled with loopholes. 2. Pension Annuity & Social Security Members vest in their federal pension in 5 years and can take payments as early as age 50. Members are also eligible for social security. 3). Worker’s Compensation...For job related injuries, members are covered under Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance. Jessie Jackson, Jr. infamously claimed workers comp by successfully arguing that Congress made him mentally ill. 4. Travel Expenditures....Members of Congress spent $21.2 million on 16,367 overseas trips between 2007 and 2018. Last year, the U.S. House spent $4.3 million on overseas travel. France was one of the top destinations listed on the disclosures published in the Congressional Record. One representative took trips to Italy, Morocco, and France costing taxpayers $75,000. Another member spent 9 days in Australia costing $22,400. 5. Perks: Free Parking...The congressional license plates allow members to park illegally; parking is free at Reagan National; flights to and from the district are free and members have a dedicated customer service line to handle reservations. 6). Other Perquisites...Members receive up to 195 days off per year (out-of-session); 72% subsidized special healthcare; and taxpayer subsidized $25 per-month gym membership with sauna, steam room, paddleball, and swimming pool. 7). Office Allotment...Based on population, member office allotments average $1.3 million annually in the House and $3.2 million to $5.1 million per year in the Senate. California U.S. Senators receive over $30 million during their six-year term. 8). Appropriated Settlement Funds....Members have appropriated a fund to bail themselves out of #MeToo and other troubles. Settlements totaling $17.6 million from 275 cases had an average settlement payout of $64,000 from years 1997 to 2018. 9). Perks: Elevators & Doormen....Senators have Members Only elevators with doorkeepers who push the buttons. These employees make $45,000 per year. The doorkeeper supervisors make $65,000 and the doorkeeper director earns $95,000. 10). Working Hours...In 2019 and the first two weeks of 2020, the House was in session for only 850 hours and the Senate for 1,003 hours.