Swordsmyth
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- Joined
- Apr 14, 2016
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U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill and another legislator are looking to end lifetime health care and other benefits for themselves and hundreds of other members of Congress.
Norman and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna introduced the Stop Congressional Retirees’ Accessing Perks — or SCRAP — Act. The bill would end some lifetime benefits to members of Congress, from health care to legislative access.
Norman is a South Carolina Republican, representing the 5th Congressional District. Khanna is a California Democrat. Both were elected to their respective first terms since last summer.
“Members of Congress are elected to serve their constituents, not to reap numerous perks for the rest of their lives once they leave office,” Norman said in a statement. “Most Americans do not have similar lifetime benefits when they leave their job.”
Lifetime benefits aren’t just about the fiscal cost, according to Norman.
“Retired members still have the same amount of access throughout the capitol complex, and over 430 former members of Congress are now lobbyists, representing special interest groups — giving them special, direct contact to sitting members writing legislation,” he said.
Norman said: “Lifetime access to this exclusive circle keeps them in that circle, and distances former members from the experiences of everyday Americans.”
More at: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article199578304.html
Norman and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna introduced the Stop Congressional Retirees’ Accessing Perks — or SCRAP — Act. The bill would end some lifetime benefits to members of Congress, from health care to legislative access.
Norman is a South Carolina Republican, representing the 5th Congressional District. Khanna is a California Democrat. Both were elected to their respective first terms since last summer.
“Members of Congress are elected to serve their constituents, not to reap numerous perks for the rest of their lives once they leave office,” Norman said in a statement. “Most Americans do not have similar lifetime benefits when they leave their job.”
Lifetime benefits aren’t just about the fiscal cost, according to Norman.
“Retired members still have the same amount of access throughout the capitol complex, and over 430 former members of Congress are now lobbyists, representing special interest groups — giving them special, direct contact to sitting members writing legislation,” he said.
Norman said: “Lifetime access to this exclusive circle keeps them in that circle, and distances former members from the experiences of everyday Americans.”
More at: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article199578304.html
