Proposed Legislative Changes to Congressional Pay Members of Congress work for the American people, we are their boss, and they answer to us. The continuation of disregard to the American people has left Congress with a 10% approval rating. They have failed in the performance of the job that we have hired them to do. In most real jobs, a worker has to meet a certain level of productivity to get a raise, a promotion or even retain his/her job. Our elected officials should be held to that same level of performance. Congressional pay and raises should be a performance based program. The formation of an Ethics Panel to “police” members of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court, separate and with no influence from Congress. Given the current state our economy is in and the President’s statement that “we must all tighten out belts”, I propose the following legislative changes to be implemented immediately: An immediate cut in pay to Members of Congress of 25%. An immediate cut in individual Congressional budgets of 30%. Congress Members may not be allowed a pay raise until the following conditions are met: Defense Budget has been passed. Congressional approval, as a whole, must be at 30%. Individual approval must be at 40%. The individual must have no ethics violations or open investigations of ethics violations during the past 12 months.. Members must submit to a drug screening test and meet the same criteria as our Military. Positive results will be forwarded to the Ethics Panel. Pay raise percentages will not exceed the pay raise percent given to the Military. Congressional Budgets increases will not exceed 7 percent from the previous year. A thorough audit by the Ethics Panel for the previous year must be conducted prior to releasing the budgetary funds. Re-Election Members of the Senate will not be allowed to run for re-election unless they have 45% approval rating within their State. Members of the House of Representatives may not run for a third term unless they have a 50% approval rating from their districts and must maintain that level for future elections. Members must have no ethics violations and passed all random drug screening tests. Travel All members of Congress must fly either commercial coach or utilizing the Military’s Mobility Air Command (MAC) on a standby just as our Military, Flights other than these must be paid by the Congressman and not eligible for re-imbursement and all travel is subject to the scrutiny of an Ethics Panel. Travel Allowances PERDIEM cost while on Official travel will utilize the Military’s PERDIEM manual to set the amounts authorized for travel/meals/lodging to specific areas. Un-official travel will be at the individual’s expense. Retirement Benefits Retirement benefits will mirror the U.S. Military’s retirement plan. Twenty years of service will provide eligibility for no more than 50% of pay up to a maximum of 75% after 30 years. For Members that served during the timeframe when service members could only receive 35% retirement, that is the limit. COLA adjustments on the retirement pay will be the same as for retired military. An Ethics Conviction after the 20 year eligibility will result in a loss of all retirement pay and benefits. While actively serving in Congress, members will utilize Military Health facilities and practices. Upon successful completion of 20+ years, members will be allowed to purchase the Military’s health coverage (such as TRICARE) at the rate of 3x what the military retiree pays (to include caps and co-pays) or be forced to take whatever healthcare program they may have passed and implemented while in office. Education benefits will be capped at 50% of the current level Veterans are allowed to use. Ethics Panel An Ethics Panel will be established using accountants, fraud investigators, legal experts, banking and investment professionals, and prosecutors and defense teams. The Committee will not be an arm of the Congress but an arm of the American People. They will have oversight of all matters of members of Congress on the rules of ethics and personal financial dealings. The head of the Ethics Panel will be appointed by the Governors of the 50 States to ensure bipartisanship and an unbiased panel. Violation of Ethics will be reported to the individual’s State Assembly and at the conclusion of an investigation; the verdict will be given to the said State for determination by the people of the said state for final disposition.

Links