Congress: Living fat off the hog

For those demanding proof of the $491,000 annual perks and benefits package that all members of Congress receive in addition to their average $186,375 salary:

• Health care benefits
• Vacation
• Premium retirement fund with hedge fund reinforcement
• Per Diem (at $272 per day) for every day Congress “does business”
• Annual 4% Cost of Living Increase
• All commute expenses to/from Washington
• Domestic Travel, Lodging & expenses
• Foreign Travel, Lodging & expenses
• Cell phone & Internet service
• Meals/Entertainm­ent & expenses
• 18-person staff allowance (up to $167,200 per staff member)
• Wardrobe & maintenanc­e allowance
• Mail/franking, personaliz­ed stationery­, docs/pubs, including full personaliz­ed leather-bound judicial & encyclopae­dic reference library
• Legal representa­tion excluding felony criminal prosecutio­n
• Notary Public services
• Courier services

There’s a LOT more. Check for yourself if you’re still in doubt.

Congressional Perquisites

Full breakdown of Congressional pay, perquisites and benefits