Before retiring from Congress, Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) proposed a housing stipend for members of Congress. “I think a $2,500 housing allowance would be appropriate and a real help to have at least a decent quality of life in Washington,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to be among the wealthiest of Americans to serve properly in Congress.”
As advocates for the lowest income people in America, we at NLIHC felt it necessary to call out the absurdity of Mr. Chaffetz’s call for housing subsidies for members of Congress who, like other wealthy Americans, already receive the benefits of the mortgage interest deduction and other homeownership tax expenditures while millions of struggling low-income people in America receive no help at all.
Please read my op-ed in today’s USA Today, "Housing help for Congress? How about for people who really need it?" on why this statement from Mr. Chaffetz was so out-of-touch with what’s really needed in our country.
Diane Yentel
NLIHC President and CEO