Congressmen are sleeping/living in the House of Representatives - thoughts?

[SaveAmerica]

I read this article this morning about some Representatives who are living in their offices. It makes me uncomfortable, I think it's tacky and disrespectful of our House and I also think they are using the House for their personal use and therefore are using taxpayers money to live off of (in addition to their pay). The Rep in the story says he's saving $20k by not paying rent to save money for his 3 kids to go to college. He uses the storage room across the hall as a mini kitchen and is cooking on his crock-pot all day.

In my opinion our House of Representatives is not a Motel 6. I'm not sure how it works for Congressmen and cost of living but it seems that, from the article, they are not paid 'extra' for housing.

They are trying to make it look as though this is fiscally conservative on their parts (some of the hotel sixers) because they are saving. Unless I'm reading this wrong they are not saving taxpayers' money but their own money while using taxpayers' money to cook some crockpot chicken all day long in the storage room.

Am I misunderstanding this article?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/22/eveningnews/main7272636.shtml?tag=pop


The reasons range from making a symbolic statement that they are not part of Washington, proving they are fiscal conservatives, and just saving money.

They sleep on air mattresses, cots, couches, and rollaway beds.

Arizona Representative Paul Gosar, a dentist from Flagstaff, is among the new Capitol campers. He estimates that he will save $20,000 a year by not paying for rent or parking. That's no small change when there is no taxpayer stipend for congressional housing, and when (like Gosar) you have three teens in high school eyeing college.

...Snipped paragraphs where Gosar says it's economical from his standpoint and he uses electricity to watch TV and use computers at night...

Besides, Gosar likes to cook. To enable his hobby, and because the Hill cafeterias close in the afternoon, Gosar has reorganized a large, cinder block supply cage across the hall from his office into a closet and kitchen. Across from a hanging row of dry cleaning, he has a crock pot, an electric griddle, a microwave, toaster, refrigerator, and file cabinet drawer full of dishes, silverware, and glasses.

[mmonk]

1. Padlock the doors.

[guitar man]

95. LOL!!

+1 :rofl: :spray:

[2Design]

2. they are overpaid now

[Brilliantrocket]

77. Stupid or just pretending?

If you pay an official too little , they have more incentive to do unethical things.... like taking bribes. That's what happens in places like Russia, Ukraine etc. The officials get paid so little that they tend to skim on the side. We need to INCREASE their salary if anything. More incentive to stay ethical. Oh and yes it is kind of sad that we need to bribe our representatives in a way. That's just human nature. People look out for themselves first, others later. If we pay them a good salary and they don't need to worry about things like rent , it's much more likely that ethics will prevail. That's why your knee-jerk opinion is flawed.

[2Design]

91. they are already being paid by the corporations as authorized by supreme court

they make too much money and too many benefits. This is why they all want the job while denying us healthcare and raises - we need to cut expenses and their salaries and benefits belong on that chopping block. They should only get the same healthcare they are willing to provide for the rest of us

my opinion is not knee jerk

[Kermitt Gribble]

102. Most of them are already millionaires and unethical.

That's why your opinion is flawed. If we had term limits and public financing of elections, we wouldn't have career politicians who feed from the public trough (and the corporate teat, for that matter) their entire lives.

[Horse with no Name]

3. It is wrong

YOU and I and every other taxpayer is paying their living expenses.
The cost of lights, electricity, water etc for a working day--8 hours or so--but the cost is tripled if they are staying there for 24 hours.

This practice should stop. Immediately.

Not even sure that it doesn't qualify as theft of services.

The practice should stop. Now. I am NOT interested in saving Congressmen money. I am interested in saving taxpayers money.

[onenote]

8. 8 hour day?

You obviously never were a staffer on the Hill. I regularly am on the phone with staffers late into the evening. And I've met with staffers on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

The lights, etc. are on whether or not a member is bunked out in a part of their office

[KittyWampus]

56. lights are one thing. Crock pots cooking is another.

[SaveAmerica]

12. I think they should be charged, don't they earn like $160k a year?

He's going to get $300k for his 2 year 'tour', I think he should get budgeting classes if he can't pay for $40k in housing and parking and have enough left over for college for his kids.

[SaveAmerica]

14. $174k per year according to this web page

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

[Lucian]

22. He can't send his kids to college on $174k/year?

Seriously?

:eyes:

[Horse with no Name]

24. Yet expect others to do it at less than $40k

Fucking hypocrites.

[Lucian]

31. Exactly.

[BonnieJW]

32. What about the health laws????

Cooking food in the offices has to involve possible infractions of the health laws.

[bobbolink]

60. Health laws? They only apply to homeless people, donchaknow?

[justabob]

45. fire from cooking

is the only problem I am really having with this. Comandeering a closet and calling it a kitchen isn't safe.

Other than that, I can't get too worked up over this. I don't necessarily like it, but I don't think you can keep them from being in their offices around the clock.

[Oceansaway]

4. K&R...n/t

[InkAddict]

5. Ah, who could have imagined....

such sacrifice :sarcasm:

[onenote]

6. its nothing new and member of both parties do it

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-05-12/news/ct-met-where-congress-sleeps-20100511_1_house-members-box-sleeping

[Horse with no Name]

13. This isn't a partisan stance

They should ALL stop.

Living accommodations aren't part of the package. If they don't want to set up housekeeping in DC, then they shouldn't sign on for the job.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. +1000!

[glinda]

20. They should be asked to move out. This is the House of the people and we didn't let them

in to be freeloaders and squatters.

[Horse with no Name]

40. Asked? I am all for eviction proceedings!

:evilgrin:

[onenote]

43. they're not sleeping in the Capitol. They're sleeping in an office building

[glinda]

104. Extension of the Capital. It is all of our money. Kick them out. No one should "mark" any

of our Government offices or buildings like a dog peeing on a tree stump. That is what it is really. Sleep there, wash there, eat there, poop there. Out I say.

[SaveAmerica]

23. yep, the article I linked to said 2 of the freshmen are dems,

Doesn't matter the party. I don't know, it just seems very wrong to me.

[DainBramaged]

7. Bums living off the teat of the taxpayers, fucking fire hazard too...

[AnneD]

105. Not to mention pests...

No better way to encourage mice than to have food around.

[leveymg]

9. This is not a new practice. House rules have always allowed Members to reside in their offices.

Many have done so, particularly when they are new arrivals who haven't found other accomodations. In the 19th Century, many House Members -- who weren't all that well paid -- lived in their offices or in nearby rooming houses on Capitol Hill.

Rooms in the lower levels of the Capitol still have bathtubs where Members freshened up. Today, many still go to the gym to shower. You used to be able to wander and poke around the Capitol before the whole damn country turned into a police state.

I don't think it's so undignified to sack out on the office couch as some of the rigid, neo-puritans seem to.

[Recursion]

21. The old House Annex 1 (O'Neill building) used to house a lot of Reps

back when it was a hotel. It's now a parking lot, though.

[qb]

10. Anyone who does that at my office is shown the door. Permanently.

[elias49]

11. If this wasn't so funny I think I might cry.

I guess this goes to show that US congresspeople are just regular people.
Maybe even LESS than regular.

[SoCalDem]

15. If a 7-11 franchisee puts a cot in the back & lives there, he'll get in big trouble

but congresscritters do it & claim they are being "frugal"..

The ones who do it, should get their pay cut.. The raises they get ore often explained away by reminding us all how expensive it is to live in DC..

can their staffers sleep there too, & save the rent money?

[SammyWinstonJack]

16. Cheap bastard! I'm not interested in supplementing his kids' college tuition costs.

[Dappleganger]

17. I don't have a problem with it.

Better there than in a C-street house.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. It's showing they can't manage their budget

They earn plenty - enough to pay rent.

[Dappleganger]

34. I think their mentality is that if they can't live rich, they'll stay in the their office.

They'd rather die than live like much of the rest of DC. However, I can see the logic in providing a bunkhouse of some kind, like fire stations do. Make them sleep on stiff cots and see each other's beer guts each night. Ugh.

[tularetom]

18. Do congressmen receive some sort of per diem?

If so, these dipsticks should return it.

What I want to know is where do they shower? Do we want to sit next to any of them on an airplane?

[Recursion]

25. There are showers in the Longworth and Rayburn buildings

Not sure about Cannon. Plus there's the Congressional gym.

[leveymg]

39. The House has its own gym. Several of the office bldgs also have showers - as do large law firms in

DC. Working really late is part of the DC culture, and the big law firms have suites with beds and full baths on some floors. The House follows the same culture - it's no disgrace to sack out on the office couch - shows you work hard.

[southernyankeebelle]

26. Call Boner and tell him you aren't happy about representatives using our electric and boarding in

house. Start charging them a user fee.

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. I'm more concerned that they'll get too comfortable and we'll

never get them to leave.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. It's an indication that they can't manage their budgets

Our newly elected rep reduced the number of offices here at home 3 to 1. The reason is he can't afford more than one. But the Democrat who proceeded him had 3 offices. Turns out the repuke is paying outlandish salaries to his staff.

[elias49]

29. Is there a river running through the DC area?

They could live in a van down there!

[SaveAmerica]

36. Thanks for the laugh!

[Horse with no Name]

38. The MOST I am willing to give a member of EITHER party that does this

is a cardboard box and a blanket.

Or else they can do like we all do--pay their damned rent.

They are not only stealing services from the taxpayers, they are denying the DC economy of money they would spend setting up a household or renting a hotel. They are taking money hand over fist FROM the taxpayers.

[MattBaggins]

46. The rents too damn high

[Horse with no Name]

52. Then they shouldn't take the job

It's really very simple.

[onenote]

67. so we should make it harder for those of modest means to represent us?

Keep in mind that most of those (of both parties) who have camped out in their offices are maintaining a separate home, with a separate mortgage and separate expenses, back in their home district. I've been in a lot of Congressional offices over the years, including offices of members who stay in their offices and offices of those who rent or even buy a home in the area. I couldn't tell the difference because the space that they are using for sleeping quarters isn't the space that I, or anyone else from the public, sees. Given the choice between members who leave their families in their districts rather than become full time residents of DC, and given the choice between discouraging those of more modest means from seeking office, I'm really not that concerned about the fact that some camp out a few nights a week.

[renate]

79. that's a very good point

Two good points--one about the separate home in their district, and the other about how it's a good thing for people who aren't independently wealthy to be able to come to DC to represent other people who aren't independently wealthy.

I just can't get myself too worked up about the idea of somebody sleeping in his or her office. If anything it's an indication that lobbyists aren't offering to pay their rent.

[DaveinJapan]

112. Once elected though, they are earning $170,000+ as was mentioned, they are No Longer

"those of modest means".

At least not after a few paychecks. (so sure, hearing about them crashing in their office for a couple of months wouldn't be as big a deal).

They can certainly afford a modest efficiency apartment. This is just some continuing bizarre show put on by politicians because they think it will impress people.

[MattBaggins]

90. It was a joke

I'm a New Yorker. It was a tongue in cheek reference to the "Rent is too damn high" guy.

[davidinalameda]

59. Potomac

[hamsterjill]

33. I'd rather see public buildings used for the homeless

Than for salaried Congressmen and women.

[WhiteTara]

35. you read it right.

they are turning the hallowed halls of congress into a frat house.

[Greybnk48]

37. I can't wait until one of these douchebags starts a fire

with their two burner hotplate. LOL! Why does a Dentist need to "camp," and scream poormouth. These people have no substance. EVERYTHING is symbolic.

[DCKit]

41. It's wrong, but not nearly as skeezy as living at the C St. house.

However, their staffers are expected to pay their own living expenses, so it's just not fair.

No wonder I can't sell my condo.

[Common Sense Party]

42. They're not "in the House." They're in the office building.

They're not sleeping in the Capitol building itself. I have no problem with this.

[Horse with no Name]

44. Could you do it at YOUR job?

I would LOVE to be able to cut out my rent and utilities out of my budget and just live at work and let someone ELSE pay my bills. I might could even afford a new car or a better cut of meat if I did that!

Wouldn't it be grand!

[Common Sense Party]

47. I actually do the reverse at my job. I work from my home.

I let my company use part of my house as my office space. I don't even charge them rent.

[Horse with no Name]

51. Do you take a tax deduction for it?

Again--this is your house, your choice. We are talking about private vs. public.

You aren't living on my dime when I am struggling to make ends meet.

[leveymg]

48. People work overnight and sleep in their offices at DC law firms all the time.

No disgrace - a badge of honor, in fact, for some billing 2,000-plus hours a year.

Hospital Residents also work for days on end and crash on a cot. So do many in the military, come to think of it.

[Horse with no Name]

50. Who is paying the bill for the lawyers to sleep on the couch? The taxpayer or the Law Firm?

I have NO problem if someone else is paying the bill--I have a BIG problem if I am.

[leveymg]

53. It doesn't cost the public anything to have House Members sleep in their offices, silly.

I don't get the outrage. Most House Offices are small, cramped and overcrowded with desks and interns. Not luxury accommodations, believe me.

[Horse with no Name]

57. Yes, it does.

I know for a fact if I work 12 hours days--then I can turn my heat/AC down while I am not there and turn all of the lights off and it cuts about 1/3 off of my monthly electric bill compared to when I am staying home all of the time.

[leveymg]

61. Have you ever been in a House Office Bldg? They're miles of high ceilings and marble corridors.

There's a powerplant that produces steam heat just for this row of buildings along Independence Ave. If they turned the lights off and the thermostat down at night, it wouldn't really save a dime - besides, often there are people still working in House offices at all hours. Should they just freeze the aides and make them work by candlelight?

[onenote]

68. +1

[ehrnst]

89. Would they permit aides to live there? Let them find housing on craigslist like their staffers.(nt)

[ehrnst]

88. They were also "complaining" about the noise of roof repairs in the night....(nt)

[Gaedel]

113. I remember

a bachelor major general in the Pentagon who used to sleep on the leatherette couch in his office and shower in the Pentagon gym. He took his meals in the Pentagon Mess and didn't cook in his office except for the office coffee pot. He had a little fridge in the corner of his office for water and sodas (guy was a teetotaler and didn't drink). He just didn't see the need to rent an apartment and commute.

[tabbycat31]

80. I almost did at my last job

Like the members of Congress I was away from home (a campaign staffer 700 miles away) and lost my supporter housing due to circumstances beyond my control halfway through.

I wound up staying on a friend of my boss's couch but I was ready to sleep in the office (we had a utility closet that I would have slept in). The only thing that stopped me was no shower available.

[SaveAmerica]

94. Don't give them any ideas ; )

[Angry Dragon]

49. I have a big problem with this practice

[hunter]

54. We the people need to contract with one of those prison companies to house these representatives.

Here you go, Mr. Congressman. Here's your cell.

Put them on a work release program when they are actually representing their constituents, take away their privileges and keep them locked up if they are caught fraternizing with lobbyists, hookers, etc.

[KittyWampus]

55. It sounds like a fire hazard and is probably against fire regulations. And possibly health code.

[DrDan]

58. so he has a salary of $160/yr - rent would be $20K . . . . hmmm

seems like he could survive on $140K/year. There are a lot that live on much less.

just another greedy GOPer.

[Lisa0825]

66. Not just rent in DC but also housing in their home districts....

They make decent money, but not if you coonsdering having to have two homes due to officing in their home districts and in DC when in session. I don't mind if they want to be frugal and live in their offices, rather than having two households to maintain.

I can find many bigger issues for my outrage.

[DrDan]

71. I agree there are bigger issues - but this reeks of tackiness

surely several can get together and share rent on a house.

[Dappleganger]

83. They could always stay in the C Street House.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Beaverhausen]

106. a lot of them do that

I don't have a problem with this- you have to consider that they have to maintain a home in their home districts too.

We don't just want the very wealthy being able to serve as congresspeople, do we?

[Codeine]

70. Plus whatever he pays for his home in his district.

Folks from both parties do this and always have. I think it's cool to know these guys are willing to rough it a bit to save.

[DrDan]

74. $140K would seem to be adequate for a home in their district.

I am faulting R's only - I think it is tacky for those of either party.

[Codeine]

62. Y'all are nutty.

Who cares if somebody tosses an inflatable mattress in their part of an office building? They've been sacking out in their offices since the country was born -- this isn't new. I admire the thriftiness.

[Common Sense Party]

63. No they should go blow all their salary on an overpriced Georgetown

townhouse like any decent, lobbyist-owned Congressman.

[SaveAmerica]

97. I know of Congressmen who live in shoebox sized apartments in DC

They are there and available. So, basically, these guys should pull themselves up by their bootstraps and find an economically sound place to stay where they can cook their fave foods in their own homes. And pay for their own electricity to run their crock pot, refrigerator, toaster, etc etc.

[leveymg]

64. It's frustrated populism. Congress hasn't done much for the people, folks lash out at what they

imagine to be all the free comforts and perks enjoyed by elected officials. There are some, but sleeping in one's office is hardly my idea of luxury lifestyle.

[Gormy Cuss]

92. IMHO, it's a cynical attempt to make people believe they're tightening belts in DC.

Staying in the office isn't the issue --it's bragging about how they're saving money or whining about their costs. At 174K they aren't poor and spending 20K for a pied-à-terre in metro DC doesn't sound so pricey and more to the point, paying for such is part of the justification for congressional salaries.

[leveymg]

98. I agree with that statement.

The GOP are adept whiners and natural hypocrites. Take their superb health coverage, for instance - or take it away, since they think it's "socialized medicine" and clearly don't think their constituents should have anything like it.

[RedCloud]

65. Keep having fire drills.

[barbiegeek]

69. I'd sleep at work for Free Government HC like them

[WolverineDG]

86. me too

posted the same, then saw your response. :)

dg

[firehorse]

72. Who cares?

Maybe they are working long hours and they just want to sleep a few winks. If they want to camp out in their office like a hobo, its their choice - there are other topics worth debating over. Is it better to sit in a car commuting or throwing money at a hotel?

[ehrnst]

73. Their staff makes less than they do - would they tolerate a staffer living in the building?

Go to Craiglist, dammnit, and find a group house.

[msanthrope]

109. You'd be surprised how many staffers sleep in the offices during the week and only

make it home on weekends.

[lumberjack_jeff]

75. If each state would buy an apartment building they could keep salaries down.

I like the idea of legislators of modest means being able to serve. But living in the office? No. The capital building is ours, not theirs.

Each state should buy an apartment building big enough to accommodate all of their senators and representatives to live in rent free. The units which are vacant because the representatives chose to live elsewhwere could be rented out.

[firehorse]

76. maybe they could rent bunk beds from pilots

[Freddie Stubbs]

78. 1. It's legal and permitted under House rules

2. I'm much more concerned about how my Congresswoman votes, as opposed to where she sleeps.

[thrift_store_angel]

81. Things must be way different in other parts of the country

In the DC area sleeping in the office is not that uncommon, I have done it before. Living in the office although less common is still not unheard of, and it isn't likely to get much of a reaction. Judging from people's reaction in this discussion I think it must be just a completely different environment in this area than it is where you all are at. The only thing that surprises me about this article is that they don't have their own kitchens in each section of the building.

[Cleita]

82. That cooking arrangement has to be a fire hazard.

Send in the building inspectors and fire department.

[KharmaTrain]

84. If It Gets Them Out Of The Beltway...

Many reps spend Tuesday-Thursday in the beltway...maybe come in Monday night or leave on Friday but many who live at "the Capitol" (as pointed out this is a long time tradition and the House office building is set up to accomodate those who do live in their offices) still maintain homes in the districts they came from and between weekends and breaks that's where they spend most of their time. Rents around the beltway are sky high and I have no problem with someone wanting to save a couple bucks. While in session many do work long hours and I'd rather see them sleeping in their offices than in a C-Street House or some other "port in the storm".

[WolverineDG]

85. But they have great health care benefits

that they continue to deny everyone else.

So they have to live in their offices? Poor babies. I wish I had their jobs.

dg

[ehrnst]

87. Government subsidized housing. Nice. (nt)

And the republican freshman had a fancy fundraiser recently:


"We feel as a freshman class ... that we're going to need to be self reliant," California Rep. Jeff Denham said in a press conference held as guests began arriving at a posh downtown DC hotel Tuesday evening. "This is our first attempt to do that."

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/elected-cost-cutters-gop-freshmen-party-fatcats-tonight/story?id=12537584

[Javaman]

93. We don't say a thing when they use the US Constitution as toilet paper

so why would we say anything about this?

[sharesunited]

96. They should live in their cars like the rest of us!

[PBS Poll-435]

99. As I clutch my pearls...

Do you think they are having sex in there?



The rent in DC is expensive. That's why I backed "The Rent is Too Damned High" Party.







:P

[Ghost in the Machine]

100. I think they should all live in a tent compound, just like our troops do, until the wars are over

Let those congresscritters live like that and have to eat some of that rotted food, and drink some of that contaminated water, provided by Halliburton. They can bathe in some of those showers provided by KBR, and hope they don't get electrocuted, too.

[grahamhgreen]

101. More evidence they have turned us into a 3rd world country. WHY DOES

he have to do this?

Why don't his kids go to college for free like the rest of the civilized world.

Oh yeah, i forgot, so the ultra rich can get more tax breaks on their billions.

[4_TN_TITANS]

103. Lighten up people.....

The cost of living in DC is astronomical, I could easily see them spending 1/3 of their salary to have a 2nd home in DC. Frankly, this sounds like my family on a trip, saving money by cooking in the hotel room.

[Cosmocat]

116. People are actling ...

like this is some kind of four star accomodation ...

The other thing people don't get is, yes, these people are making about 170 grand a year ...

They also are on a two year contract ...

For new congressman who are unsure if they will last beyond a term, it isn't like they know they are going to be making 170,000 a year for the next 10 years ...

It isn't as much money as people here think - they pay taxes, so it isn't 170,000 out of the gates ... A little over 100,000 ... If they have a family, if the wife does not work, if they have kids ...

Seriously ...

This is the kind of mindset the other team has to criticize this kind of stuff ...

[Lisa0825]

120. EXACTLY. nt

[AlinPA]

107. Fakes. They haven't received their brown envelopes from the lobbyists yet. nt

[msanthrope]

108. This is nothing new--when I was a staffer I knew of plenty of good Dems who

did the same thing...

Where do you all think the Maryland, Virginia, NJ, NY, and DE dems lived?????

It was ridiculous and way, way, too expensive for them maintain their homes in their districts AND a place in DC. Some Dems would band together and rent apartments, but even that could be too expensive for lots of Reps.

Another thing--if you aren't grifting, then a Congressperson spends a great deal on unreimbursed travel, and lots of other expenses.

When I worked as a staffer I slept PLENTY of nights in the offices.

[glowing]

110. Could u imagine what would happen if a regular empoohed decided to live out

Of their office? They would be thrown out the door. Freeloading losers. Looks really bad that politicians r living at the office... Are their staffers living their too? Very weird!!!

[Pryderi]

111. BETTER THERE THAN C-STREET!

[Liberal_in_LA]

114. crock pot cooking! lol

[eShirl]

115. maybe they'll get more work done

[Hippo_Tron]

117. I'd like to see a follow-up story on this 9 or 10 months from now

I don't have a problem with them living in their offices if they choose, but I honestly doubt that many of them will continue to do it.

Many will probably end up living in a cheap apartment with roommates like Schumer and Durbin do.

[BOHICA12]

118. I don't want them to get comfortable ....

.... turnover can be expected. Washington should not be their home.

[tammywammy]

119. I have no problem with it. n/t

[inna]

121. I could not care less where they sleep.

[kiranon]

122. Have no problem with it. n/t