I'm sympathetic about high housing costs for Congress members. Solution:

[MineralMan]

For those House members and Senators who are having trouble making ends meet, what with maintaining two residences, this classic housing solution would be ideal. Proven through many decades of military housing, open barracks would solve the problem with little additional cost. Such living quarters would also foster collegiality and cooperation among our legislators. Of course, they wouldn't have to deal with barracks inspections and that sort of thing. They could create a pool of funds to hire people to clean, make beds, etc.

This housing would not be mandatory, of course. Those congressional legislators who had the means to live elsewhere would be free to do so. But, those who are strapped for funds, despite their $174,000 annual salary, would be able to live in this comfortable, efficient housing at no charge:

[justhanginon]

1. $174,000 is just what they receive above the table.

Being somewhat cynical, I really wonder, what with all the lobbyists, pacs, dark money, etc., like I said, I am somewhat cynical and maybe even a little suspicious about the lower reaches of said table.

[MineralMan]

5. Well, I don't know about that. I just know

that one former House member was whining about the high cost of housing himself for the brief times he was in DC. He proposed a $2500/mo. housing allowance. Since I'm sure he'd be interested in saving taxpayers' money, I'm offering this simple solution to that problem. It would be like a raise in pay and would cost taxpayers nothing. That should be ideal for tax-cutting Republicans, I'd think.

Of course, they'd probably want separate housing or separate floors, at least, for male and female legislators, I'm sure, but that need could be easily accommodated. Bottom line: If this type of housing has been suitable for our enlisted military personnel, it's ideal for our elected officials, as well.

[Dustlawyer]

22. Considering that same legislator suggested the poor give up their I-phones to buy health

insurance I am sure (not) he would not mind a little sacrifice himself. Glad he is leaving!

[sharedvalues]

60. We know he got an iPhone for free

Chaffetz's donors paid for his iPhone and his cell service.

That's at least $2k per year in real benefits from GOP donors.

[Takket]

2. Rethugs like to go on about how they love the military

So I'm sure they would have no objection to this!

[MineralMan]

6. And think about the Esprit de Corps it would create.

I can't see any drawbacks, really, at all.

[sarge43]

38. Give them the full experience

Uniforms and maintenance, do their own cleaning, Saturday morning inspections, drug searches 0200hrs,
formation at 0500hrs, KP, weekend noise level that would put a flight of F-18s to shame, the occasional bawl, bed wetter in the bunk above yours.

(Your memories here)

[shraby]

3. They could also set up a housing project like they build for poor people to live and

require congresscritters to live there. Make them 1,2 or 3 bedrooms so if they have family they want to bring there will be adequate space.
If a congresscritter wants to pay the high cost of a private apartment someplace else, they are welcome to do so.

[Blaukraut]

9. A Congress Campus. Not a bad idea at all! n/t

[Squinch]

4. If we make them dress like Handmaids it would save them a lot of money on clothing, too.

We are just FULL of helpful ideas! They should thank us!

[MineralMan]

7. Yes, uniforms of some kind would be a nice touch.

That way, they could save money on their attire for Senate and House sessions. There are so many ways we could help our legislators in Congress with their tight financial situation.

[Lindsay]

13. They could wear advertising patches on their uniforms,

like NASCAR drivers. I'm sure their corporate patrons would pay handsomely for the advertising opportunities.

[WePurrsevere]

29. I've thought this should be required for years. I'd like to know

who owns who. The bigger the sponsor the bigger the patch too. :-D

[Squinch]

42. I have some kick-ass ramen noodle recipes.

[exboyfil]

8. I was thinking classic college dorm style

and it would be mandatory to stay in the dorm three nights a week while Congress in session. You would, as much as possible, be required to room with a member of the opposite party. Also all breakfasts and some dinners would be mandatory - cafeteria seating with rotating placement also assigned - again emphasizing both parties being placed next to each other.

I would like to see more travel back to home districts with a requirement of a certain percentage of the time being in their home district. During that time it will be mandatory to both have Town Halls as well as meeting with individual and/or small groups of constituents (chosen on a random basis if demand exceeds time available).

No more lifetime defined pensions. There should be a generous 401(k) match. The emphasis should be that serving is a public service, but even those without money can serve.

If they need to reduce the time that Congress is in session, I would support that. Congress should not have their families in Washington. The members should spend more time in their beds in their home districts/states.

Representatives and Senators in Alaska and Hawaii should be allowed to do some voting/committee participation online to allow them to meet the requirements of meeting constituents.

[MineralMan]

11. I don't think they'd go for such luxurious accommodations.

After all, saving money is a top priority for the current crop of Republican legislators. I think we should keep it simple and spartan, so they could send photos home of how they're saving their constituents' money. I'm sure they'd get that concept right away.

[Historic NY]

10. How about the swanky Greenbrier??? We paid enough for it.

[link:|


http://www.kilroywashere.org/006-Pages/Bunker.html

[MineralMan]

12. Maybe for congressional leadership. Perks of the office.

Those roomy closets would be a big plus for them.

[MedusaX]

14. Great Solution! Might need more sq.ft. Of floor area--Doubt many could get up on the top bunk...

[nkpolitics1212]

15. Does a Democratic and Republican Congressional Member have to share the same bunk?

[MineralMan]

17. They'll have to work that out themselves.

I don't care.

[IronLionZion]

16. Government housing for Congress is a great idea

Since we will always have congresspeople, and they will always need a place to live while in Washington.

but since Congress would be the ones deciding it and appropriating the funds, they'll probably use our taxes to build something like this:


Even though we've seen these requests for more pay come from millionaires, the truth is that a lot of middle class people don't want to run for office partly because of the costs. It could be one reason why we don't field good Democratic candidates in many districts. The barracks idea is a great joke, but building apartments for them could be a feasible idea for the less wealthy types. I live in DC and can see which neighborhoods different types of congresspeople live in. And many of them do share group houses with a bunch of roommates and communal living like what we joke about. Boehner lived like that when he was here. People would protest outside his house during the shutdown.

And since they are only here for part of the year anyway, they wouldn't be paying rent/mortgage on a home they're not using if it is a government owned building. The same should be done for their staffers.

[HipChick]

18. $174,000 does not go far in DC..

[MineralMan]

20. See. Then my plan would simplify the whole thing.

I'm all about simplifying stuff. I learned that from old Hank Thoreau.

[spooky3]

24. And they have to maintain homes in their districts.

I think they should be given a housing allowance in part to make it easier for lower income people to run for office.

Cancelling just one big military plane order should cover the cost for many years.

[JI7]

51. there are many people who live there that make far less. they should share apartments

there are many ways they could easily live comfortably .

[Lucky Luciano]

59. I agree with the schmuck congressman in this case too.

Maintaining two residences is tough on $174K. No reason to live like a pauper while in DC with an important job even if the person is an asshole.

It is especially helpful to make it so being a congressman doesn't require independent wealth.

[Merlot]

19. And while we're savinghtem money, let's put them all on the same healtcare we have!

Let them wrastle with the ACA and then vote to remove it or improve it.

And their family memebers need to be on the same health plan.

[bottomofthehill]

21. Occam's Razor, the Page Dorm

The simplest solution is often the best. A few years ago the House closed its Page Program. There were a host of reasons most of them good, but it was a shame to lose the program just the same. They had a dorm for the House Pages about a block from the House office buildings. It is already set up for dorm living and the Members of the House who find living in DC too expensive could stay there for a reasonable price. There are about 80 beds ant they are already split for a male/female living. They would probably have to hire more Proctors than when the Pages were there as the Members would most likely behave much worse than the 16 year olds who were turned loose on the city of Washington.

[MineralMan]

23. You know, I'd forgotten about the Page Dorm.

That's a perfect solution! Thanks!

[Akamai]

25. Would you require urinalysis testing to allow them access to the housing?

[MineralMan]

26. I don't care. They don't have such testing to be in Congress,

so I think not. We elect them in each district or state. Maybe there should be pee tests before the election. But once, elected, I can't see the utility of such testing, really. Look at old drunk, Boehner. Dude was soused most of the time, and yet his constituents kept electing him. None of it makes much sense, really.

[bottomofthehill]

46. I like it

If you live in a state that requires you to take a drug test to get public assistance, than you should have to pee for public assistance in the House Dorm..

[Akamai]

48. Yup -- those be my thoughts too.

[Docreed2003]

27. My poor representative is barely making ends meet on her congressional salary

I mean...check out these very modest 22,000k sqft home

[MineralMan]

28. I know, huh? It's teddiboo! Poor baby!

[DemoTex]

30. OK maggots, those racks are disgraceful!

Drop and give me 25, Cowboy!

[MineralMan]

31. Dude! Give a warning!

Now I'm having a flashback!

Here's what USAF Basic Training at Lackland AFB in 1965 looked like:

[Laffy Kat]

53. Which one is you? nt

[MineralMan]

58. None of them, but that was the same time

as when I was there. I'm sure a similar photo was taken of my BT flight, but I never saw it.

[oberliner]

32. Jason Chaffetz requested the housing stipend - here's a link to a photo of his house in Utah

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/jason-chaffetzs-house/view/google/

[niyad]

40. maybe he can rent out part of it--or use it as an airbnb

[mopinko]

33. most of them bunk up together. i suspect poor widdlo jason

was so disliked, no one would let him in.

[kairos12]

34. Bunked in similar barracks during my first days in the Army. Make someone fire guard every night.

Mine were wood though, WW2 vintage. It will be the closest to serving in the military anyone in Congress is likely to do.

[MineralMan]

35. Yah. We had the same two-story wood barracks at Lackland AFB

when I was in Basic in 1965. Fire guards and coffee cans with water for smoke breaks. I remember mostly that the place reeked most of the time, no matter how many times it got scrubbed down.

[Vinca]

36. I say we buy them all a sleeping bag and put a convertible sofa in their offices.

[napi21]

49. I've heard several Reps say they sleep in their offices, anmd shower in the Congressional gym.

If THEY can do it, all of them can.

[bottomofthehill]

50. Against the fire code

The house office buildings are not residential buildings. People are not supposed to lodge there. If there is ever a fire or other reason the building becomes disabled, firefighters and first responders lives will be put at risk saving the squatters staying there in violation of DC laws and the fire code.

[sharedvalues]

56. No, GOP donors want to avoid DC living making them liberal

It's a known effect that conservatives come to Washington, live in the city, start to realize why city people care about issues like poor people and gun control, and BECOME MORE LIBERAL.


So the donors and think tanks behind the GOP encourage people like Chaffetz and Cruz to sleep in their offices and avoid contact with actual poor people and the actual city.

[ProfessorGAC]

37. I Said The Same In Another Thread

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9282396

My post was far less detailed, but i was thinking exactly what you wrote.

And i agree on the, "if you can afford better, go ahead and live anywhere you want" aspect too. (Not quoting you, just setting off a paraphrase)

But, if having to support two living locations is a burden, well, good enough for the soldiers, good enough for these folks.

[niyad]

39. how many millionaires are in congress, again?

[MineralMan]

44. It's a bunch of them, for sure.

However, there are some ordinary folks in there, too. I think they tend to bunch up and share living quarters while in DC. They're probably also likely to not have an extravagant lifestyle in the first place and a congressperson's salary may represent a raise for them.

But, they're a minority in Congress, for sure. Most are highly successful people with considerable wealth. It's not easy getting elected to either the House or Senate, and most people elected have built strong careers or businesses before getting there.

I suspect that this "housing crisis" is neither a crisis nor does it affect all that many people, really. I feel worse for their staffers and low-paid junior staff. Now, they have a problem. DC is a costly place to live, or can be.

[niyad]

61. most excellent points all. I can see helping the staff members (well, I have a list of those

I would not. . . .) but not the millionaires, etc.

I would suggest putting all the congress critters up in a motel six or some such. with dinner vouchers at denny's or ihop.

[PatrickforO]

41. I'm with you Mineral Man!

Not only should they live in barracks while they are in DC, but they should have to rely on the same healthcare plan and Social Security that the American people do. I'm sick and tired of smug asses like Ryan and McConnell telling me that government-run healthcare fosters 'dependency,' and that Social Security needs to be cut back and privatized.

Let's introduce legislation that forces all members and ex-members of Congress that ensures they have to abide by the laws they foist off on us.

[Demtexan]

43. Sleep in their car.

Share an apartment.

Better yet just quit and go home.

I have a friend living with me who was homeless living in her car.

She had a job but not enough money to pay rent.

[madinmaryland]

45. I would prefer they have their own rooms so they could actually think about the legislation

they are about to vote on...



ETA: Three square meals a day would be provided by the US Tax Payers!

[bottomofthehill]

47. Howard University

Also, Howard University was talking about selling some dorm space earlier in the year. it is further away, but I might be a good thing to have the Members living at a HBC....

[MLAA]

52. Hopefully housing and meals will soon be free for a number of them....after Mueller is done! n/t

[pansypoo53219]

54. how about low income housing. see how the poor really live.

[AllaN01Bear]

55. live on the streets maybe, lke many of the working poor

[Callmecrazy]

57. One missile could take out the entire Congress...

What are y'all thinkin' ?