Retiring House Republican Patrick McHenry from North Carolina said the Congress salaries are too low. Still, instead of sympathy, he attracted overly negative comments and even mockery from social media users.
McHenry’s statement goes deeper into the issue
Talking to The Dispatch, the Republican said that most people in Congress lived off their income and added, “The very wealthy few end up dominating the news because of their personal stock trades when most of us don’t have wealth.” He explained congressional pay must be raised to attract “credible people to run for office.”
Let them eat cake!
People across social media expressed their disapproval, with one Reddit poster writing, “Just give up your Starbucks and avocado toast, buddy.” Another joked, “All I hear is ‘Let them eat cake!'”
The solution
One person had a solution, “Keeping up with the Joneses is real, especially when you spend your time around millionaires and billionaires.” They continued, “Imagine if they spent time with their constituents. I still think their pay should be based on a formula that uses the average wages of the people they represent. Want a pay raise? Make it easier for your people to live.”
Many mocked McHenry
One person shared on Reddit, “I think I broke my tiny violin.” Another argued, “Seems like an awful lot of money to do very little. Not to mention the best health care and pension. Perhaps they should get what their average constituents get, then we can talk about “enough money.'”
Others had more to offer
Someone made it simple: “If they get rid of all lobbying money, book deals, insider trading, and any gifts from lobbyists, then fine, give them a raise.” Yet, this person reminded, “You weren’t promised wealth. You were elected to serve and represent.”
Most representatives need two residences
Congress and Senate members have the same $174,000 salaries, which seems like a nice sum, though they need to uphold two residences, one in their district and the other in D.C. The last time they got a raise was in 2009.
Still, it is beyond average Joe’s income
The U.S. Census reported that in 2022 the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. But, according to Insider, if lawmakers’ salaries went up with inflation, they would make around $250,000.
Others complained as well
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, pushed for the first raise, though in 2019, a California Democrat, Katie Hill, asserted, “Nobody wants to vote to give themselves a raise. There’s nothing good about that.”
Greene said she was losing money
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia went further and said that working in Congress made her “miserable,” adding, ” I made a lot more money before I got here. I’ve lost money since I’ve gotten here.”
Ocasio-Cortez cited it would help prevent corruption
In 2019, the New York lawmaker shared on X, “Voting against cost of living increases for members of Congress may sound nice, but doing so only increases pressure on them to keep dark money loopholes open.” Even studies proved that higher salaries would help in fighting corruption.
Making money on book deals
Many Congress members opt for writing books, speaking arrangements, and podcasts, and that, in most cases, makes them appear power-hungry or less serious in their jobs.
McHenry knows this is not a topic people want to hear about
Still, McHenry admitted to The Dispatch that he understands how people see Congress. An Insider poll found that 55 percent of Americans want pay cuts for lawmakers, and only 9 percent think of the raise as a valuable option.
McHenry is retiring once his term is over
Ex-House Speaker pro tempore will retire after two decades in Congress. The representative of North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District is on his third and final term as Financial Services Committee chairman.
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