Myopic House deficit hawks are currently writing appropriations bills that aim to significantly slash budgets for congressional operations. While they may claim that shrinking Congress is fiscally responsible, their cuts will reduce funds to pay congressional staff and likely result in an exodus that will undermine the institution’s ability to function.
Members of Congress hail such cost-cutting measures to appease taxpayers, but what they’re really doing is burdening their staff with reduced pay and resources. Hill staff draft legislation, meet with constituents, perform analyses and oversight of federal agencies, maintain the member’s schedule, interact with the press, and so much more. The job requires dedication to their member of Congress, whose goals they often share, but at a high personal cost.
All too often, they are neglected or mistreated by their bosses. Up until last year, one in eight staffers were not earning a living wage. COVID-19, the Jan. 6 insurrection, and increased violent threats to members and their staff brought overworked and underpaid staffers to their breaking point, and they quit their jobs at record rates, leaving Congress with diminished capacity.
I worked on the Hill and know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, wanting to serve the country but feeling the pinch of living in one of the most expensive cities. I have firsthand knowledge of how the decades-long defunding of the Legislative branch needs to be reversed so Congress can...
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