Government

Ethics Group Knocks Thrifty Lawmakers for Sleeping in Their Capitol Hill Offices

You’ve just gotten a new job that pays $174,000 (plus amazing benefits, but that’s another story).  This job requires you to split time between your home in Whereverville and Washington, DC.

The new gig comes with a huge office that is effectively a three-room suite, (and if you are lucky it might also have a bathroom and small kitchen).  So instead of paying upwards of $2000/month for a one-room apartment, you decide to turn one of the three rooms in the office into living space.  Fold-out couch or inflatable mattress… BOOM!  You’re home.  The office also has a swell gym that is open 24/7 so showering is not a problem.

Welcome to the reality for at least 33 Congressional Representatives who now call their DC offices home.  (Check the list here to see if your Rep is bunking-in.)

Ethics Group Knocks Thrifty Lawmakers for Sleeping in Their Capitol Hill Offices

Congressman Quigley Makes His Bed (©chicagotribune.com)

Sleeping in the office is not a new concept, especially in Washington, and strangely enough, making your office into your residence is also not new to DC.  Congressman have been doing this for years, but never this many.   Last year the Chicago Tribune reported:

It’s going on 10 p.m. when House Democrat Mike Quigley, in track pants and a T-shirt, tosses a flimsy mattress on the floor of his congressional office and prepares to call it a night.

The 51-year-old Democrat from Chicago regularly sleeps there. Several other members of the House of Representatives, perhaps as many as one in 10, also bunk out in their offices, according to estimates.

This January the 10 office sleepers more than tripled to at least 33, as a large contingent of the newly elected Congressmen decided to save some money and sleep in the office.  But the trend may be brought to an abrupt end as an investigation has been launched by a group concerned with the ethics of our elected officials. CREW, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is asking for a probe into the practice.  The group is concerned that the office squatters are receiving an unreported tax benefit and violating House rules. CREW’s Executive Director Melanie Sloan declared:

“House office buildings are not dorms or frat houses. If members didn’t want to find housing in Washington, they shouldn’t have run for Congress in the first place.”

Congressman Chris Gibson from NY is one of the accused “frat boys.”

The professional ethics of a House member who sleeps in his/her office is also being question by CREW:

“official resources of the House must, as a general rule, be used for the performance of official business of the House”

And then there is the alleged tax benefit these frugal legislators are receiving, CREW charges;

“As living in a House office clearly is not a condition of serving in Congress, members must pay taxes for imputed income based on the fair market value of their lodging,”

Ms. Sloane closes her letter to the Ethics Committee as follows;

Ethics Group Knocks Thrifty Lawmakers for Sleeping in Their Capitol Hill Offices

Congress has been officially asked to investigate it’s members who, in most cases, are trying to act with great fiscal responsibility.  This should be fun to watch. And as a matter of fact, it would be great fun to watch.  A reality TV show that reveals what happens in the House after hours. Reality TV uber-Producer Mark Burnett (the man who brought us hits like “Survivor” & “Sarah Palin’s Alaska”) where are you?

Comments (270)

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  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:03am

    Sleeping dogs do serve a purpose to guard a home or patch of land; and I agree on the part of getting rid of any and all lying dogs who are in the legislature or the white house. Just fire them or impeach them when criminal offenses are found, and let the juries decide their fates.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • kuhl
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:03am

    Turn a blind eye to Rangel’s tax issues but gripe about our Representatives trying to save the people money? Ms. Sloane is the one who needs to find other accomodations!

    Report Post »  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:56am

    WHO FUNDS CREW?? I looked on their website. Evidently they are high powered Washington lawyers, all of whom were connected or worked for leftist Democrats. Yet, despite this high-minded “ethics” shtick, they are “not for profit” and nowhere does it list their own funding on the website. So, follow the money? WHO funds THEM? Inquiring minds want to know. Does anybody here know how to find out? I just think it is very curious a bunch of high-falutin’ lawyers has this “not for profit” thingy that spends all of its time investigating “ethics”. Do these people themselves work for free? Who pays THEIR rent?

    Report Post »  
    • NancyBee
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:12am

      very good questions!

      Report Post » NancyBee  
    • GingerC
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:57am

      CREW is a Liberal group, funded in part by individuals who are members of the Democracy Alliance. Democracy Alliance was founded by former Clinton Treasury official Rob Stein, Erica Payne and various donors in 2005. “At least 80 wealthy liberals have pledged to contribute $1 million or more apiece to fund a network of think tanks and advocacy groups to compete with the potent conservative infrastructure built up over the past three decades,” The Washington Post reported in August, 2005.

      The Democracy Alliance tries to keep a low profile and its wealthy donors prefer anonymity. According to published reports, organizations funded by Democracy Alliance are asked not to reveal the funding. In 2006 a San Francisco, CA, office was established by the Democracy Alliance at the Presidio in the Tides Center, where Alliance member Drummond Pike has his offce. Members of the Democracy Alliance include billionaires like George Soros and his son Jonathan Soros, former Rockefeller Family Fund president Anne Bartley, San Francisco Bay Area donors Susie Tompkins Buell and Mark Buell, Hollywood director Rob Reiner, Taco Bell heir Rob McKay … as well as New York financiers like Steven Gluckstern.

      Google is a wonderful tool :)

      The Staff of CREW:
      Melanie Sloan, Executive Director… formerly worked under DEM Conyers, Schumer and even Biden. Helped write legislation. Drafted portions of the 1994 Crime Act, including the Violence against Women Act.

      Naomi Seligman, Deputy Director… formerly with Media Matters

      You get the picture….

      Report Post »  
  • JustMel71
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:55am

    Progressive liberal crybabies with their bleeding hearts want things done their way only. Or maybe the way that childish progressive goon Sloan put it: (shouldn’t have run for Congress in the first place)

    “House office buildings are not dorms or frat houses. If members didn’t want to find housing in Washington, they shouldn’t have run for Congress in the first place.”

    Oh, here’s the list. (take note to “D” & “R”.. I’ll give you a hit 7 democrats, 23 republicans) Could this progressive twit group be bitching now because of the number increased to included more republicans?? You decide. =)

    Dan Boren (D-OK)

    John Carney (D-DE)

    Steve Chabot (R-OH)

    Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)

    Hansen Clarke (D-MI)

    Sean Duffy (R-WI)

    Stephen Fincher (R-TN)

    Jeff Flake (R-AZ)

    Chris Gibson (R-NY)

    Tim Griffin (R-AR

    Paul Gosar (R-AZ)

    Trey Gowdy (R-SC)

    Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    Luis Guittierez (D-IL)

    Richard Hanna (R-NY)

    Joe Heck (R-NV)

    Bill Huizenga (R-MI)

    Bill Johnson (R-OH)

    James Lankford (R-OK)

    Dan Lipinski (D-IL)

    Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

    Patrick Meehan (R-PA)

    Ben Quayle (R-AZ)

    Mike Quigley (D-IL)

    Todd Rokita (R-IN)

    Bobby Rush (D-IL)

    Paul Ryan (R-WI)

    David Schweikert (R-AZ)

    Steve Stivers (R-OH)

    John Sullivan (R-OK)

    Tim Walberg (R-MI)

    Joe Walsh (R-IL)

    Todd Young (R-IN)

    Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/10/crew-to-congressmen-get-a-room/#ixzz1Dqnc7zKo

    Report Post » JustMel71  
    • derekcrane
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:15am

      You are right Justme71. There wasn’t a peep from anyone when it was discovered that John Kerry lived in his office until he married his honeypot.

      Report Post » derekcrane  
  • AKMIIKEUS
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:55am

    Don’t even give them a warning kick them out to the street.

    Fiscal responsibility is about creating a better, stronger, more prosperous nation for the next generation. The choices we make today — or fail to make — will determine what kind of future our children and grandchildren inherit 20 and 40 years from now.

    Congressmen Living and sleeping where you work has nothing to do with Fiscal responsibility.

    Report Post » AKMIIKEUS  
    • blacksmith
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:53pm

      @ assmike
      And how does this statement fit into what Your beloved Obama is doing to us?

      Report Post »  
    • blacksmith
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:55pm

      @ assmike
      You are a typing moronic contradiction! At least attempt to stay consistent with your rants!

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:40pm

      Congressmen Living and sleeping where you work has nothing to do with Fiscal responsibility.

      *************
      Except that the man or woman who is frugal with his or her own money is more likely to be frugal with mine, whoever is a heavy spender with their own money, is not very apt to be frugal and responsible wiht tax $’s.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:48am

    You want to know how much of a conservative I am.

    We should be charging them rent. lol

    Report Post »  
  • PatriotsCause
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:48am

    “Let me go! I’m not fit to be a senator! I’m not fit to live! Expel me, not him! Willet Dam is a fraud! It’s a crime against the people who sent me here – and I committed it! Every word that boy said is the truth! Every word about Taylor and me and graft and the rotten political corruption of my state! Every word of it is true! I’m not fit for office! I’m not fit for any place of honor or trust! Expel me, not that boy!” – Senator Joseph Paine: From the movie “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington”

    Just watched this movie, for the umpteenth time, last night. Fantastic movie and what a great message! Perhaps it should be required viewing for all of those who take or took the following oath.

    “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

    But then again, we’ve never really had a “real” Mr. Smith ever go to Washington…

    Report Post » PatriotsCause  
    • woodyb
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 2:52pm

      I watched it yesterday too, and had about the same idea — it should become a mandatory part of whatever introduction to congressional responsibilities OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES might get upon their arrival in DC !!!!!!!!!!!!

      Perhaps even required viewing for everyone RUNNING for ANY elective office, at ANY level!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • streetrodder
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:44am

    Ethics committee in Washington D.C. Thats the oxymoron of all time.

    Report Post »  
  • matt708
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:42am

    the ethics group is a farce and should disband

    Report Post »  
  • BrerRabbit
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:42am

    I applaud them.

    Report Post »  
  • matt708
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:42am

    slone is an idiot

    Report Post »  
  • amerbur
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:39am

    How long has this been going on. You do not investigate the members, you investigate the policy. If the policy said they could not, they would not. Put the responsiblity where it belongs and be clear about the rules. Simple. Do not punish members for being frugal and creative.

    Report Post »  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:38am

    Dear ethics committee,
    Then let their be “hundreds” of travel trailers, campers rv’s parked and circled around the mall.
    obamas war on Congress continues…………………

    Report Post »  
  • REVENANT
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:36am

    There are actually people whose existence is so tortured, and meaningless, they will go after this? Who are these busybody nitwits?

    Report Post » REVENANT  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:31am

    And for SOME ODD REASON, CREW isn’t concerned about how a Congressman makes this kind of salaray, has no outside income, pays the high rent or buys a home in DC as well as one( or more) back home and maybe a posh vacation pad, and ends up a multi-millionaire skating on his taxes ( like Charlie Rangel). So, who funds CREW?

    Report Post »  
  • toidiegalliv
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:29am

    The only point I can see is that one needs to seen as alert and well groomed when in the halls and moving about the place of business. That is not difficult to achieve and should be maintained. As far as the other complaints…ETHICS??? In light of what is going on in terms of what is unethical, why is this even noticed other than to be something gratefully accepted for the sake of saving money and forsaking the “high life” expected in eliteville.

    Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:32pm

      for the sake of saving money and forsaking the “high life” expected in eliteville.
      ***********
      Exactly, and how do they get them into the DC cocktail parties if they can’t return the invitation?
      Been many a Reformer Corrupted when his wife (or her hubby?) wanted the Social Engagements?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • Colonial Revolutionary
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:28am

    If they are getting the equivalent of Per Deim then I would say this is unethical. If not and they are saving the taxpayer money then I am ok with it.

    Report Post » Colonial Revolutionary  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:26am

    Thats all ya got???

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • boonerdan
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:25am

    God forbid that we elect public officials that are cost-conscious. If someone is frugal in their personal lives, perhaps that will spill over into their public lives. If CREW is so concerned about ethics, I suggest they turn their attention to the current administration and its czars. There is enough fodder there for generations of investigations.

    Report Post »  
    • dmforman
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:19am

      Amen! I am glad that the law makers are being responsible with their money. It doesn‘t make sense to pay for an apartment that you won’t be at very much without your family. To me these guys are doing what our Founding Fathers would have wanted our Legislative Branch to do. I am proud of them and tired of “ethics” groups, who practice poor ethics and are immoral people.

      Report Post »  
  • FLyoverman
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:24am

    Hey CREW if you want the government to stay out of your bedroom then return the favor. :-)

    Report Post »  
  • tobywil2
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:23am

    Instead of worrying about where they sleep, why don’t we make it mandatory that a Congressperson pass a quiz on legislation before they vote on it? http://commonsense21c.com/

    Report Post » tobywil2  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 8:16pm

      Haaaa-leh-looooo-yah!
      Hallelujah, Amen!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:24pm

      Instead of worrying about where they sleep, why don’t we make it mandatory that a Congressperson pass a quiz on legislation before they vote on it?
      *************
      The Prog’s would insist you grade on the Curve and give affirmative action to any one who went through American schools or Colleges since they were too busy learning about contraception & Global Warming to learn how to read and write.
      !!!! Save the Planet, bottle the Hot Air coming out of DC and use it as alternative energy !!!!!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Lantern
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 10:05am

      And the Black/Latino Caucus would complain that it was written by a white person who doesn’t understand the “background” of the “non-white” and that it needs to be written in spanish and ebonics, too.

      Report Post » Lantern  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:18am

    Attacking admirable, common sense measures tells the tale of the average whiny liberal bent only on vilifying the opposition. In short…It just makes Ms. Sloane and her liberal friends look as stupid as they must surely be.

    Report Post »  
    • bolec slodkie
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:00am

      Why don‘t the whiny liberals should ask why congresmen don’t pay taxes for both their in stat residents AND a washington D.C. residnece? Could it be “they” just want more tax revenue. Isn’t sales tax one of the redistrobution shcemes?

      Report Post »  
  • what4
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:17am

    Hey CREW Eat my shorts you dirtbags!

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:01am

      Better idea, stick them in a room and have them listen to the unabridged speeches of all c-span recordings of all politicians for the last ten years.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:32am

      Just Obamas speeches of the last 3 years would drive them insane in a matter of hours. Heck they might even catalog all his lies while they are at it and are so concerned over ethics.

      Report Post »  
    • firstHat
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:12pm

      Actually, what would be more appropriate is what my old WWII vet father always says. CREW, you should “blow it out your barracks bag”

      The thing they miss is that those who live frugally are less likely to be led into looking for money unethically.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:15pm

      The thing they miss is that those who live frugally are less likely to be led into looking for money unethically.

      *********
      They don’t miss this, it‘s a case of if they don’t take the “Walk Around Money” they can’t be arm twisted into voting their way!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • smithfix
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:16am

    “V” http://www.infowars.com

    Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:43am

      Info wars

      aaaaahahhaahahhaa

      thats the HOME / MOTHERSHIP of the 911 truthers

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:00am

      @Smithfix

      Based upon the “V” symbol I have to ask for some more information:

      Is it the Victory “V” most people are familiar with, as in some lawmakers are finally beginning to get the idea of fiscal responsibility?

      Or the “V” of Visitors in which the funky lizard folks disguised as humans come to harvest humans while taking control of the nation in the guise of the lawmakers?

      Or is it the “V” for Vacation, in that when the POTUS goes on another one they can get the most work done, and make changes happen?

      Or is it the “V” for a set of old fashion Rabbit ears hooked up to a ancient device called a TV that some of them may have in their offices.

      Mind you, if you think the aliens have come and taken over the legislature for their own purposes, I have to ask the question of why would they even want to…

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • blacksmith
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:38pm

      Is the V for Guy Fawkes? Vendetta?

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:16am

    So these lawmakers have actually found a way to save some money and be responsable on the use of their own salaries; and then all of a sudden it comes under investigation by a ethics group who has a problem with them doing so.

    Simply put, something once again seems to be fishy within the groups based in DC; they have their own agendas being pressed, and if the lawmakers have saved money, then let them, maybe they will do the same with the new budget disaster Obama is pushing.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:28am

      Just think if they were all sleeping for the last 20 yrs
      America would be a Free county again

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • AKMIIKEUS
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:49am

      I’m sorry but if your salary is 174 thousand a year then you need to go and rent an apartment.

      Are the congressman giving up their salary to help the deficit or are they hoarding the money for themselves?
      There are plenty of homeless people living in the D.C. metro area, why don’t you go join them, then maybe I’ll be impressed.
      This sleeping and living where you work does not impress me or the rest of the country.

      Report Post » AKMIIKEUS  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:51am

      @ConsrvtJ

      Yes it is interesting, in a very pathetic way, as indeed that the lawmakers are trying to save money and are being checked out by the ethics group while the city burns all around them. Not to mention the nation and the planet.

      @Tower7

      From my point of view, it still matters on a individual basis, for what one person does can make a difference in the long run; will it always, no, yet there have been countless times when individuals have set the wheels into motion that lead to a greater good happening. It has to start somewhere with an individual who says that it still matters to them.

      So, even if this is indeed the end days, and it very well is looking like it, this will be the very type of time when what each of us stands for is the most valued. What is false will collapse and crumble in the storm, what is true will stand solid and unbending to be built upon for the next generation to come after us.

      Ghandi himself said that the actions we do today lays the foundation of the tommorow, or close to the quote as I can remember at this time.

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:54am

      I just re-read the part of having a reality show based on the house to show what really happens after hours, and I have to say, why not? It would not last on the air for very long, yet it may bring some shocking moments for all to see.

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:55am

      Obviously these pinko libs do not want a more effective and lean Congress. They are dumping in the wrong people’s mess kits. I think it’s time to tear the CREW organization apart document by document, receipt by receipt. Congress has the power to do it and they might have to sleep in their offices to get the job done.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 9:57am

      @Snowleopard – Pathetic would be the best word to describe it.

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:02am

      I can’t believe that an “Ethics” group would protest such a thing. That’s ridiculous. So the so called ethics group is a sham. Yet another group that calls itself one thing and delivers another. Sort of like obama.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:11am

      Who cares if they sleep in their office (R or D) as long as they are doing the job they were elected to do. The only reason this is an issue is because the majority of them are Republicans and, as usual, the left wants to embarrass them. I, for one, think this is a non-issue and would rather know they are defunding healthcare.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:13am

      @CnsrvtvJ

      Pathetic indeed describes it, at least it is the best and still be polite word I can think of at the time. Sometimes the tunnel vision that fixes upon the DC lawmakers and supporters also falls upon the watchers as well. As someone else once asked “Who watches the watchers?”

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Solsta Lynn
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:14am

      The ethics group thinks that it is more ethical to receive housing from lobbyists and not report them than to sleep in the office without receiving any BRIBES from the lobbyists that the ethic groups fronts for.

      Report Post »  
    • lobster
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:24am

      They seem to have no problem with the ethics of the President and the former speaker. You put a “progressive” in another suit and they always will criticize anyone that does not bend to their standards. Why do we always have to give in and they never do?…

      Report Post »  
    • Boss J
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:24am

      Where were these clowns when Rangle was screwing the system?

      Report Post » Boss J  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:26am

      TOWER take your meds. NOW!
      Not to worry the lobbyist will be around soon with their bags of money and they will be able to afford even the most expensive housing in DC just like all the other Congressmen. Got to love those lobbyist dollars. Just think they can even afford to bring their families by their second term. Why don’t they rent out some of the empty barracks at Andrews AF base? I keep wonder why they have not voted themselves free housing? Oh, thats right the Dems lost control before thay could pass it without reading it.

      Report Post »  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:35am

      Primary question. Where does CREW get its funding? maybe Soros? Any one know? These orgs must have some one giving them money. So Who?

      Report Post »  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:13am

      Typical washington BS. Saving money is a good thing PERIOD!
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:20am

      This is such……. SMALL THINKING

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • TheBMT
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:24am

      Like they are going to get permission from “the man”, while they cut “the man’s” budget and limits their roles of government by following the Constitution. More power to these representatives.

      Report Post »  
    • gofigureinternational
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:37am

      Exactly Oldtimer, that was my first thoughts too. Not to worry though, I am sure they will appropriate themselves an expense account to pay “out of town travel expenses” when they are away from their home residences, or some other equally pathetic loophole to scam the tax payer. We need term limits to eliminate some of the career politicians! Though it may already be too late given how weak we truly have become as a viable nation.

      Report Post »  
    • ozz
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:05pm

      I like Glen Becks idea of building them a berrics to sleep in. Not like it would cost much. 2 grand a month for rent is a waste.
      Dem or Repub, good for them. Now lets get frugal with the budget :D
      Lastly, the elites don’t like them acting like public servants. That is the issue.
      But I do :D

      Report Post » ozz  
    • Caffeinated Texan
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:10pm

      Their salary (if it is their only income, and usually isn’t) is definitely going to be stretched if they have to keep a home in their district and another in Washington. Rather than crashing in their offices, a new push should be made for congress people to spend less time IN Washington, and more time back at their “real” homes near those they ostensibly represent. I would totally support, as a tax payer, the building of comfortable, dorm-style, housing for congress people (for which they would pay a resonable rate) contingent on their only needing it three months out of the year.

      That’s 3 months per year in Washington, mucking up the country, and 9 months per year back home facing their constituants. Based on what I have read, I think many of our founders would support this proposition as well. They never intended for congress to live in Washington for the majority of the year, separated by hundreds, or even thousands, of miles from those they were elected to represent.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:11pm

      I would do the exact same thing .. I don’t see the problem .. why pay for something that is not needed .. THESE are the people I want watching my money … people who aren’t into wasteful spending.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:14pm

      I might add .. where in Washington besides the White House could you get better nighttime security? I would think that they should be encouraging this!

      Report Post »  
    • DMcPher316
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 12:54pm

      this just provies my point. ALL members of BOTH houses should be banned from bringing their families to “work” unless the live in the immediate area, not just renting, unless the permanently move and maintain only one house like ost of the rest of us. They need to build a military type barracks, where they all can sleep in a nice big room, have a foot locker and stand up locker and a common shower. Of course they would need one separate for the female members. If it’s good enough for the military, it’s good enough for them.

      Report Post »  
    • keaton
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:01pm

      Logically ,the complaint should also be applied to the President, sleeping in the Whitehouse.

      Report Post »  
    • blacksmith
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:28pm

      @ assmike
      Nobody but your mom minds that you live in her basement rent free! I guess you find it preferable to have millionaires living in penthouses deciding where my tax dollars are spent. I would say our tax dollars but I have no idea if Soros or Arianna are paying you with food stamps!

      Report Post »  
    • Michiganjohn
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:05pm

      I’m proud that my congressman is sleeping in his office and supporting legislation that gets him back here to the district where he can sleep in his own bed.

      Report Post »  
    • Deuteronomy22
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:19pm

      These fools justify their 175k/year salary by crying about needing to maintain two residences. Charge them rent.

      Report Post » Deuteronomy22  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:22pm

      People have to remember when elected these members get a bass salary plus expenses
      that include (travel.lodging,meals,etc) the constituents of each state pays for it..
      that saves tax dollars
      I’m from California (Nancy get out you’re cot you hack)

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 4:48pm

      @ CREW – WAH! Get a life. Tens of thousands of sailors and Marines live and work in the same spaces. I’d say that that alone puts these Congressmen in good company. Funny how this wasn’t an issue until a bunch of conservatives started doing it.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • jerryod1627
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 5:15pm

      What a joke! With all the crime and corruption that occurs daily in these circles and they are worried about someone sleeping in their office! It makes CREWS look pretty stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • MotherRedDog
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Most have families that have stayed in their home state. $174,000 ain’t gonna cut it if your supporting two households. Anyway, isn’t it supposed to be a part time job.

      Is this the best CREW can come up with?? Soros funded crack house.

      Report Post » MotherRedDog  
    • bcbgh
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 7:24pm

      What would you expect from a Soros-funded Democratic-founded litigation hit squad? They brought us the Foley scandal and the Plamegate litigation. Like most of these Soros groups, they claim to be “non-partisan” but target Republicans almost exclusively.

      Report Post »  
    • BONETRAUMA
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 8:34pm

      Snow, are you a troll. I see your stuff at the top all the time?

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:09pm

      Unless their office space is considered pay or a benifit and is outlined as such, there is no problem. Along those lines, if they were given a specific allotment for housing and are pocketing it, then there could be ethics violation. Would there be a problem if they bought an RV and just parked in the parking lot and slept there?
      Maybe the Dems are just mad because they won’t rent a room with them and have tickle fights.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 10:24pm

      AND to think POOR Harry Reid lives at the 4 Seasons…
      4 Seasons in Boston owned by the Saudi’s
      Hollywood sign owned by a corporation from Chicago
      Do the math…..

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on February 13, 2011 at 11:00pm

      I wonder if maybe CREW isn’t worried that some of the new “Eager” legislators who sleep in their offices, might not be able to sleep and might get up and actually read some of the legislation which is being voted on instead of depending on staffers, (which they were hoping they’d hire from the out-of-work staffers from the former Congress). Imagine if they actually were working on legislation themselves instead of Hiring it out to the Left’s groups for this administration.
      Maybe we’ll get lucky and a good case of insomnia will cause some of them to actually try to read and understand the “Tax Code” or many of the unfathomable laws which have been passed by former Congress’, I wonder how many of them they’d discover are Unconstitutional?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • EP46
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 6:38am

      WE THE PEOPLE pay for obama to live and EAT in the White House…what’s wrong with these guys sleeping in their office so they can pay their bills and keep their house in their home district ? Harry Reid OWNS a condo in Washington’s Ritz-Carlton….do we want the guy with the million dollar condo or the guys sleeping in their office to represent us ?????

      Report Post »  
    • Grapeknutz
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:01am

      So they want to tax them for lodgeing? Ok let pass the fair tax!

      Report Post »  
    • Armed Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 7:33am

      Yet no problem with Bawney Fwanks, or Dodd. No problem with the House passing laws against the will of the American People. No problem with laws passed that are only half written. Only a problem with officials saving money and not getting sucked into the Washington Black Hole.

      Report Post » Armed Patriot  
    • FedupinFlorida2
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 8:01am

      AKMIIKEUS please speak for yourself and not the rest of the country. A person in Washington saving money even if it is their own is a good thing. Maybe it will catch on to them saving us some of our money.

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:41am

      If they want to sleep in thier offices they should pay rent for it.

      Report Post »  
    • Lantern
      Posted on February 14, 2011 at 9:49am

      Sounds to me like CREW has an agenda that is diametrically in opposition to what they seemingly stand for. One of those Congressman bunking in is my brother-in-law and I know for a fact that bunking in is ALL he is doing. He is using the gym to shower. I see nothing wrong with the practice, as it DOES save taxpayer money. CREW’s position HAS to be political. there’s no other explanation.
      I think it might be time for those Congressman to change the law Ms. Sloan has a problem with. Fight fire with fire.

      Report Post » Lantern  
    • colonial10
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 1:52am

      Well if there is an investigation into the practice of these thrifty lawmakers then why isn’t there an investigation into the misuse of tax funds?

      Report Post » colonial10  
    • Opinionmonger
      Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:09pm

      WE, the people, PAY FOR THAT OFFICE ,
      Do whoever we elect has a right to be there, and sleep there too.

      Report Post » Opinionmonger  
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