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Republicans introduce bill to end congressional death gratuities
Washington, DC,
October 17, 2011
Seven Republican congress members introduced a bill (H.R. 3127) that would prohibit the payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased members of Congress.
IFA NEWS Seven Republican congress members introduced a bill (H.R. 3127) that would prohibit the payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased members of Congress. The U.S. government now pays a full year’s salary to the family of a member of Congress who dies while in office, a death gratuity created decades ago that was intended to serve as a form of life insurance. But its existence today is more difficult to justify, particularly when every other American purchases their own life insurance, according to Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), the bill’s sponsor. Posey said the issue concerns the proper use of taxpayer resources and restoring the legislative branch to a position of trust in the public eye. “I believe Members of Congress should do what other Americans do, purchase their own life insurance.” said Posey in a statement. “And with so many Americans struggling to make ends meet – mostly because of bad policy coming out of Washington – this taxpayer funded ‘gratuity’ just adds more insult to injury. It’s no wonder Americans have such a low opinion of Congress.” House and Senate members are paid $174,000 a year, with higher totals for those in leadership positions. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is paid $223,500 a year, while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is paid $193,400 a year. Co-sponsors of the bill include Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Pete Olsen (R-Texas), Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.). http://ifawebnews.com/2011/10/17/republicans-introduce-bill-to-end-congressional-death-gratuities/ |