Congress Gives Itself New Travel Benefit
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The Rules and Administration Committee of the United States Senate recently approved new guidelines that allow taxpayer funds to be used for senators to travel home for the funerals of U.S. military personnel killed while deployed overseas. The new guidelines, which also allow for travel to the fune 
rals of police officers and firefighters, represent the latest in a long line of congressional perquisites, or benefits.
Some of the more notable benefits afforded to elected representatives and senators include, according to the National Taxpayers Union, limousines for senior congressional members, inflation-protected retirement plans that are significantly more generous than those found in the private sector, and taxpayer subsidized health and life insurance.
The financial benefits of being elected to congress, as either a representative or a senator, are quite extraordinary. According to TheCapitol.net, a web site that provides information on the U.S. Congress, elected congressional officials are currently paid a salary of $165,200, unless they hold a special office like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who brings in $212,100 per year, or the majority and minority leaders of the two major parties, who each receive $183,500 per year.
In addition to a very attractive salary, each elected representative in Congress is allowed to hire a staff of up to 18 permanent aides and four non-permanent aides that work in both the Washington, D.C. and home district or state offices of the representatives. Congressional representatives can use up to $75,000 of staff funds for their own personal expenses, TheCapitol.net web site says. Senators are allowed to hire as many staff members as they choose, within their budget allowance. On top of the ability to transfer staff funds to cover personal expenses, congressional members are allowed additional funds for expenses related to domestic travel, office supplies, postage, and communications capabilities in both Washington, D.C. and their home districts or states.
Some of the more notable benefits afforded to elected representatives and senators include, according to the National Taxpayers Union, limousines for senior congressional members, inflation-protected retirement plans that are significantly more generous than those found in the private sector, and taxpayer subsidized health and life insurance.
The financial benefits of being elected to congress, as either a representative or a senator, are quite extraordinary. According to TheCapitol.net, a web site that provides information on the U.S. Congress, elected congressional officials are currently paid a salary of $165,200, unless they hold a special office like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who brings in $212,100 per year, or the majority and minority leaders of the two major parties, who each receive $183,500 per year.
In addition to a very attractive salary, each elected representative in Congress is allowed to hire a staff of up to 18 permanent aides and four non-permanent aides that work in both the Washington, D.C. and home district or state offices of the representatives. Congressional representatives can use up to $75,000 of staff funds for their own personal expenses, TheCapitol.net web site says. Senators are allowed to hire as many staff members as they choose, within their budget allowance. On top of the ability to transfer staff funds to cover personal expenses, congressional members are allowed additional funds for expenses related to domestic travel, office supplies, postage, and communications capabilities in both Washington, D.C. and their home districts or states.