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Ah, Congress, one of our favorite groups of people. They do such a great job – selflessly leading us on the paths of\u00a0 righteousness, transparently leading by example, wisely allowing us to live out own lives with minimal governmental interference, spending our hard-earned taxes parsimoneously…<\/p>\n
OK,\u00a0 let’s stop smoking whacky tobaccy and return to reality. They suck, pretty much across the board. They lie. They spend money like ‘as long as there is a check to write on, the money must be there.’ P.J. O’Rourke famously\u00a0 called them a “Parliament of Whores”, which would be accurate if it wasn’t such an odious comparison for the Oldest Profession.\u00a0 What have those clever bastards done now?<\/p>\n
They gave themselves a back-door pay raise. Yep, they must be doing a hell of a job – the last lot (pre-the current Republican-led lot) snuck one over on ya.<\/p>\n
New guidelines for Congress were finalized this week that will reimburse lawmakers for substantial portions of their rent, food and other expenses they incur while in Washington, D.C. \u2013 effectively giving members a pay hike.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an issue that members have complained about for years \u2013 many have said their $174,000 salary, while well above the U.S. median, isn\u2019t enough to afford housing in DC and in their home district. It\u2019s forced many to share apartments together and even sleep in their offices.<\/p>\n
Members will be able to get cash back for rent, hotel fees, food and travel for days that qualify as “official business” \u2013 when Congress is in session or days designated for lawmakers\u2019 relevant committee work. Days when members are traveling in and out of Washington are covered up to 75%.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Blood pressure going up any? Mine certainly did. But, as the man says, wait – there’s more!<\/p>\n
The GSA\u2019s current rates also extend to how much of lawmakers\u2019 lodging can be covered. The daily figure fluctuates. It was $188 per day in January and will be $258 per day in June, according to the document obtained by Fox News Digital. But members can be reimbursed for the daily amount only on days of “official business.” For example, lawmakers would be able to get $1,880 back for 10 in-session days in January.<\/p>\n
Rent on apartments, utility costs, as well as condo and HOA fees are all eligible uses for reimbursement. However, lawmakers who own property in the Washington, DC, area will not be able to get their mortgage payments paid back, the policy indicates. Members whose homes are within 50 miles of the Capitol will also be ineligible.The update does not authorize any new spending but will rather use House lawmakers\u2019 own Member’s Representational Allowance for the costs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n