Jason Chaffetz Thinks Congresspeople Should Get Housing Subsidies

Because their six-figure paychecks are too small to live on.

I’m going to share one more CNBC story this week, this time from our own Ester Bloom:

Jason Chaffetz: Members of Congress should get $30,000 a year in housing subsidies

The cost of housing has gotten so expensive that Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) thinks that a monthly subsidy of $2,500 from the Government is a good idea to help ease the burden — for members of Congress.

He told The Hill on Monday that “I really do believe Congress would be much better served if there was a housing allowance for members of Congress,” given that “Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive places in the world.” He said that “a $2,500 housing allowance would be appropriate and a real help to have at least a decent quality of life in Washington.”

I know that congresspeople forming groups of roommates and/or living out of their offices is totally a thing, but I am still simultaneously LOLing and rolling my eyes.

As Ester notes, members of Congress earn $174,000 annually. If they put the recommended 25 percent of that income towards rent, they could budget for homes or apartments that cost $3,625 per month—and don’t get me wrong, there are many apartments in DC going for $3,625/month or higher, but they’d still be in a way better position than most of us. Right?

(And yeah, I get that many congresspeople have other homes in other states that they also gotta pay for. So maybe they’ll have to put more than 25 percent of their income towards housing… you know, just like the rest of us.)

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