Congress Gives Itself New Travel Benefit

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 funerals 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.

Previously, guidelines for official travel did not include coverage for expenses related to funeral services for military personnel killed overseas, forcing senators to pay their own way if they wished to attend the burials. The National Taxpayers Union says these congressional benefits increase the burden on American taxpayers by hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Overall, the new travel benefit allowed to members of Congress will not significantly increase the financial costs already associated with taxpayer support of individuals elected to Congress.

The Committee on Rules and Administration is responsible for a wide variety of Senate functions, including federal elections, the administration of Senate office space, and presidential succession. The committee is chaired by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and includes such Senate heavyweights as Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Sources: U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration web site, National Taxpayers Union web site, and TheCapitol.net web site