yes they do a vital service of legislation---but there is a lot of wasted taxpayer money there as well
Martin Gross on Government Waste
Top 10
I've got This Version from 1992
The Govt Racket--Waste from A to Z
Govt Racket--Waste from A to Z, from 2000 and beyond
Article on Gross' works
Book review larger version
Obituary Martin Gross
CSPAN video interview Clip
CSPAN FULL INTERVIEW
Base Congressional Salary since 1789 link here
2008 -- $169,300 per annum
2009 -- $174,000 per annum
2010 -- $174,000 per annum
2011 -- $174,000 per annum
2012 -- $174,000 per annum
2013 -- $174,000 per annum
Note: Since the early 1980s, Senate leaders -- majority and minority leaders, and the president pro tempore -- have received higher salaries than other members. Currently, leaders earn $193,400 per year.
In September 2009, Obama cut the FY 2010 pay increases scheduled for most federal government employees from as much as 18.9 percent to no more than 2.0 percent. In addition, the salaries of all senior White House officials have been frozen since President Obama took office in 2009. link here
California Rep Jackie Spier Video link
From article 5 Things The House GOP Should Cut Instead Of Food Stamps link
Food Stamps and GOP (my blog piece) link here
Travel expenses link here
...new gift reports show members of Congress were adept at taking advantage of last month’s summer recess and receiving almost $1.7 million in free trips during the month of August.
During a paid month long summer recess, members of Congress reported receiving $1,668,928 in gifts of free travel, the largest monthly total since August 2011. The gifts covered the expenses of 130 trips by members during August. For the year, members of Congress have received $3,346,611 in free travel paid by outside organizations.
FROM link here
Personnel Allowance
Component of the MRA
The Statement of Disbursements of the House also provides
the formula that was used for
determining each Member’s MRA. In the 2010 formula, the
personnel allowance component of this calculation was $944,671 for each
Member.14
The Members’
Representational Allowance (MRA)
The Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) is available
to support Representatives in their official and representational duties. The
MRA may be used for official expenses including, for example, staff, travel,
mail, office equipment, district office rental, stationery, and other office
supplies.
The 2012 allowances range from $1,270,129 to $1,564,613,
with an average of $1,353,205.13
***BASE ALLOWANCE IS MORE THAN THEIR SALARY!!!!
The base allowance in the formula established in 2010 is
$256,574.17
***salary is $175,000
Senators’ Official
Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA)
The SOPOEA is funded within the “Contingent Expenses of the
Senate,” account in the annual legislative branch appropriations bills. The
average allowance is $3,209,103.26
Sequester finally
attacks Senate barbershopof officially the Senate Hair Care Services unit
“”government-subsidized haircuts for senators
and their staff.””
“”Senators used to get free haircuts. But that stopped in
1979, when public pressure over wasteful government spending led the shop to
impose a $3.50 fee. But even today, the shop’s full menu of unisex salon
services are still far less expensive than many hair establishments around Washington.
A basic trim is $20 plus tip, a manicure is $18 and eyebrow trimming runs $15.””
Before 1984 Congress
did not pay into (or receive) Social Security
Report on Retirement
Benefits for Members of Congress November 30, 2012
FEHBP (Congressional Healthcare)
Congressional HealthCare Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
CRS report
There are 230 different health plans available in FEHBP for the 2013 plan year.
Out of the 230 plans available through FEHBP, an enrollee’s choice is typically limited to 10 to
15 different plans, depending on where the individual resides
All FEHBP plans cover a range of benefits, including hospital, surgical, physician, mental health,
prescription drug, catastrophic, and emergency care. There are variations in the amount the plans
pay for each benefit, the coverage of specific services, and the extent to which they protect
enrollees from the risk of catastrophic medical bills.
large firms with more than 200 employees, 55% offered one plan, 37% offered two plans, and 8% offered three or more plans. For firms with more than 5,000 employees, a subset of the aforementioned group of large firms, 26% offered one plan, 49% offered two plans, and 25% offered three or more plans.
large firms, on average employers paid 82% of the premium for single plans and 75% of the premium for family plans for current employees
state and local government employers of all sizes, on average employers paid 88% of the
premium for single coverage and 76% of the premium for family coverage for current
employees.
Dental and vision benefits are available to active federal employees and annuitants through the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Enrollees are responsible for 100% of the premiums. To continue or obtain FEDVIP coverage in retirement, an employee does not have to participate in FEDVIP prior to retirement.
The [Affordable Care Act, Obamacare] exchanges will not be insurers, but will provide a marketplace for eligible individuals and small businesses to purchase private health insurance plans. For more information on the exchanges, see CRS Report R42663, Health Insurance Exchanges Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), by Bernadette Fernandez and Annie L. Mach.
So Darrel Issa has been tweeting ""Replace Obamacare with FEHBP"" BUT in fact Obamacare will be replacing FEHBP---so why is he pushing a program that's ending???
My Blog Post Here
Congressional HealthCare Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
CRS report
There are 230 different health plans available in FEHBP for the 2013 plan year.
Out of the 230 plans available through FEHBP, an enrollee’s choice is typically limited to 10 to
15 different plans, depending on where the individual resides
All FEHBP plans cover a range of benefits, including hospital, surgical, physician, mental health,
prescription drug, catastrophic, and emergency care. There are variations in the amount the plans
pay for each benefit, the coverage of specific services, and the extent to which they protect
enrollees from the risk of catastrophic medical bills.
The federal government and enrollees share the cost of the premiums for FEHBP plans. The
government’s contribution to premiums is set at 72% of the weighted average premium of all
plans in the program, not to exceed 75% of any given plan’s premium.
The percentage of premiums paid by the government is calculated separately for individual and family coverage, but each uses the same formula. Annuitants and active employees pay the same premium amounts, although active employees have the option of paying premiums on a pre-tax basis.
Govt Pays Employee Pays Total Premium
Self $184.06 $80.74 $264.80
Family $410.92 $178.24 $589.16
As FEHBP is the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the United States, it is
difficult to compare FEHBP to health benefits offered by other employers. Any comparison must
be limited to large employers in the private sector and state and local governments.
large firms with more than 200 employees, 55% offered one plan, 37% offered two plans, and 8% offered three or more plans. For firms with more than 5,000 employees, a subset of the aforementioned group of large firms, 26% offered one plan, 49% offered two plans, and 25% offered three or more plans.
large firms, on average employers paid 82% of the premium for single plans and 75% of the premium for family plans for current employees
state and local government employers of all sizes, on average employers paid 88% of the
premium for single coverage and 76% of the premium for family coverage for current
employees.
Dental and vision benefits are available to active federal employees and annuitants through the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Enrollees are responsible for 100% of the premiums. To continue or obtain FEDVIP coverage in retirement, an employee does not have to participate in FEDVIP prior to retirement.
So Darrel Issa has been tweeting ""Replace Obamacare with FEHBP"" BUT in fact Obamacare will be replacing FEHBP---so why is he pushing a program that's ending???
My Blog Post Here
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