Government Shutdown--- Congress still gets paid ?

#1
Gramps

Gramps

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#1
First Read - Congressional pay during a shutdown? Still looks likely


What a joke... This is a bad move from the GOP..

The Senate, led by Democratic sponsor Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, has already unanimously passed a stand-alone bill to prohibit members of Congress from getting a paycheck in the event of a shutdown.

But that bill won’t become law unless it is passed independently by the House.

GOP leaders refuse to bring the “clean” – or unattached – Senate-passed salary language up for a vote on the House floor.

Why?

There are a variety of reasons, but one that is mentioned constantly is that many newer members of Congress quit their jobs to run for office.

Quite frankly, they say they need the money.

As freshman Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) told constituents last week: "I guarantee most of you, I have more debt than all of you. With six kids, I still pay off my student loans. I still pay my mortgage. I drive a used minivan. If you think I'm living high off the hog, I've got one paycheck. So I struggle to meet my bills right now."Members of Congress who do not hold leadership roles make an annual salary of $174,000.
 
#3
#3
I'm not trying to sound like an elitist but the pay for a Congressman is not that great. It's more than middle income but it's not going to make anyone rich.

The fact is most of these politicians have outside income from businesses (like owning an insurance agency) or investments and their actual government salary is just fun money.

They could not take a pay check for the rest of their term and be fine.
 
#4
#4
they get a housing budget and generally free transportation and many many other perks. doubt they have much in the way of expenses compared to teh average person making that income.
 
#5
#5
If the house votes for a government shutdown and stop the paychecks of all the federal workers involved for a period of time, then refuse to pass a bill that will stop congress members pay during the shutdown is a bad move.
Saying they will not pass a bill to stop congress members pay because some of the new members have debt and need the money is a stupid move.
 
#6
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droski said:
they get a housing budget and generally free transportation and many many other perks. doubt they have much in the way of expenses compared to teh average person making that income.
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Yeah but they're W2'd. That basically evens it out as if they were 1099. Not completely but close. I'd say its equal to making 250 1099'd. Still not rich in the real world.

Don't get me wrong though. Nobody wants 250K taken out of their check but the three politicians that I personally know all have outside income.
 
#7
#7
Sounds like that guy should have thought about that before he had 6 kids. His baby factory isn't my problem
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#8
#8
NEOCON said:
Don't get me wrong though. Nobody wants 250K taken out of their check but the three politicians that I personally know all have outside income.
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and as such would be beholden to some special interests

BearCat204 said:
Sounds like that guy should have thought about that before he had 6 kids. His baby factory isn't my problem
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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so you want only the independently wealthy to represent you?

I agree they shouldn't be paid for no work but I also don't view this as regular employment
 
#9
#9
utvolpj said:
and as such would be beholden to some special interests



so you want only the independently wealthy to represent you?

I agree they shouldn't be paid for no work but I also don't view this as regular employment
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On maybe a very small scale. Very small.
 
#10
#10
I want somebodsy who is actually a successful business owner up on the hill.

If you can't show 5 years of positive tax reports on a business you've owned or managed, you shouldn't be up there.

IF you do not have any of the above you should have a MBA or CPA or CFA or CFP.

Just my opinion.
 
#11
#11
NEOCON said:
I want somebodsy who is actually a successful business owner up on the hill.

If you can't show 5 years of positive tax reports on a business you've owned, you shouldn't be up there.

Just my opinion.
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which is absolutely absurd. Might as well go back to white land owners only and 3/5 a person
 
#12
#12
utvolpj said:
which is absolutely absurd. Might as well go back to white land owners only and 3/5 a person
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Do you even know how racist this comment is?

You basically just said there are no black business owners.

Wow PJ.
 
#13
#13
not at all what I said. But pretending a business owner has a better idea how to legislate than a person working for them is stupid
 
#14
#14
utvolpj said:
not at all what I said. But pretending a business owner has a better idea how to legislate than a person working for them is stupid
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No. It's true.

The game completely changes when you skin is on the line. If you are a manager and make a mistake it might cost you your job ( you'll find another) or a bonus but you won't lose everything and watch your credit go to crap. being a business owner teaches you that every decision is important and can have either great gain or great loss. You need to have this understanding and loved it when making choices that impact a nation.

I'm sorry but we disagree.

You also called it racist so either you just dodged how you truly feel or you just wanted to call me a racist. Which is it?
 
#15
#15
Dumb not to support the "no pay" during a shutdown bill.

Do not agree that Congress should be business owners only.
 
#17
#17
NEOCON said:
No. It's true.

The game completely changes when you skin is on the line. If you are a manager and make a mistake it might cost you your job ( you'll find another) or a bonus but you won't lose everything and watch your credit go to crap. being a business owner teaches you that every decision is important and can have either great gain or great loss. You need to have this understanding and loved it when making choices that impact a nation.

I'm sorry but we disagree.

You also called it racist so either you just dodged how you truly feel or you just wanted to call me a racist. Which is it?
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good grief I never called anything racist I was just using examples of exclusionary tactics from our past.

every American has skin in the game don't they? So by default they all meet your requirements

that idea would make me laugh if you weren't serious

NEOCON said:
OR MBA or CPA or CFA or CFP.

One of the above if you're not a BO.
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yeah I want those guys in charge of national defense and security. You can get an MBA without knowing your ass from a hole in the ground
 
#18
#18
utvolpj said:
so you want only the independently wealthy to represent you?

I agree they shouldn't be paid for no work but I also don't view this as regular employment
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My comment had to do with the congressman's comments about his debt and including his 6 kids as part of that debt. I certainly don't want the independently wealthy only representing me.
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#19
#19
BearCat204 said:
My comment had to do with the congressman's comments about his debt and including his 6 kids as part of that debt. I certainly don't want the independently wealthy only representing me.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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but he had a job that supported those kids and still wanted to serve his country. The mistakes of previous Congressmen (probably those who are no longer in there with him) are now giving him no income. How do you suggest he both do his job as an elected official and provide for his family?
 
#20
#20
utvolpj said:
but he had a job that supported those kids and still wanted to serve his country. The mistakes of previous Congressmen (probably those who are no longer in there with him) are now giving him no income. How do you suggest he both do his job as an elected official and provide for his family?
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So he should get paid but us government employees that support important missions shouldn't? It doesn't matter if he has no kids or 20 kids, it doesn't belong in the argument IMO.
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#21
#21
I don't think you need to be a business owner or a CFO, but if you've had failed businesses, that might be grounds for DQ.
 
#22
#22
utvolpj said:
but he had a job that supported those kids and still wanted to serve his country. The mistakes of previous Congressmen (probably those who are no longer in there with him) are now giving him no income. How do you suggest he both do his job as an elected official and provide for his family?
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It's not the federal workers fault that Congress never felt the need to pass a budget, yet everyone is fine with them getting no pay (including myself). If you want to shut the government down, shut it down. You end up looking like a whiny little b*tch when you exclude yourself from the punishment you are inflicting on others.
 
#23
#23
utvolpj said:
good grief I never called anything racist I was just using examples of exclusionary tactics from our past.

every American has skin in the game don't they? So by default they all meet your requirements

that idea would make me laugh if you weren't serious



yeah I want those guys in charge of national defense and security. You can get an MBA without knowing your ass from a hole in the ground
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Ex Military would count.

This is called real debate. I bring an idea and you add.

I am all for anyone who has served 4 years to be able to hold office.

Just like I was for them being allowed to vote even if they are not 30, own land or a business and don't have a degree.
 
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