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Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth'
(www.businessinsider.com)
this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2024
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It might still be true that someone could be refused a top secret clearance if they had too many debts. The theory is that if someone is under financial strain, they're easier to bribe.
As much as it might not feel good, it might be logical to pay congresspeople more, if it can be shown it makes them less susceptible to bribery.
And, while $174,000 seems like a lot, even someone like AOC thinks it's not enough. One problem is that they're legally required to have two residences, one in their district, and another one in DC. So, she needs to pay full-time rent on a place in DC ($2500 / month) and her district in NY (say $2000 / month). That's $54k per year just on rent. I don't know what the other costs are, but the people who get to congress who aren't rich already often seem to struggle.
To me it makes sense that congressional reps be paid enough that they're not under any financial strain. It means it's harder to bribe them, and that they can focus on doing their job instead of on their personal finances.
I don't mind paying them more. Make it a lucrative career. You know what... Why not $5mil/year. Attract the best and the brightest... Maybe.
But make the consequences count. Any hint of malfeasance... Any remote indication that they are betraying the will of the people, make them pay it all back and put them in jail. Like... We see that you took money from Comcast, then voted favorably on their bill. Jail.
Yep, this. I'd be fine with rather huge increases to their salaries on one hand, and with the other I'd:
Ban them from owning stocks
Limit employment options in senior positions of large companies for x time after their term ends
Outlaw personal gifts and favourable treatment (gifts should go to the state)
etc.
I don't know about $5m per year, but based on the importance of the job, a high six-figure salary makes sense. But, yeah, that has to be paired with a contract / oath that locks them down much more than an ordinary person. Instead of getting a free pass to do insider trading, any insider trading is punished harshly. Instead of a revolving door between congress and lobbying, require at least 5 years between leaving congress and doing any kind of lobbying work.
It should be the same sort of deal with being a supreme court justice. It should be a job where you never have money worries. But, also one where you're forbidden from getting any other income or substantial gifts. If you want to be a motivational speaker as a justice, great, but you can't make a cent doing that. If you want to write a book, wonderful, but as a justice anything you write (even on your own time) immediately goes into the public domain.