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MIA on the Hill

Julian Sanchez | 1.26.2005 5:20 PM

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The National Taxpayers Union says many members of Congress were paid for days on which they were AWOL in 2003 and 2004, which apparently they're not supposed to be under the law. Personally, I prefer a different rule: Only pay them for the days on which they don't show up.

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NEXT: Put Another Tofu Dog on the Barbie, Baby

Julian Sanchez is a contributing editor at Reason.

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  1. Gary Gunnels   21 years ago

    I always assumed that they were salaried.

  2. Hydroman   21 years ago

    Julian--great idea and let`s double their pay for no shows.

  3. Shawn Smith   21 years ago

    I'd be happier if the pay of Congresscritters were based on (i.e. related to) the number of freedom-restrictring laws they repealed. Laws that took more than thirty minutes to read aloud at a normal talking rate would probably be a good place to start.

  4. tex   21 years ago

    Pay them to go away!

  5. Paymaster   21 years ago

    Set Congresscritter's pay at $1M, minus $1 for every page in the CFR and US Code. I think they'd currently OWE money.

  6. Mr. Nice Guy   21 years ago

    Paymaster:

    I like your idea. I would propose that if Congress fails to automatically repeal a law for every one they create, then their pay gets penalized until they do.

  7. Evan Williams   21 years ago

    Same shit with regard to twits like Michael Moore and others complaining that Bush goes on vacation too much. Meanwhile, those same people complain about everything he does.

    Don't get me wrong, I got no love fer Bush and his evil nationbuilding quests, but...their complaints just don't make sense. Please go back to crawford for a few more months, Mista Presdint! When one can do no good, don't complain when they're not doing anything.

  8. Bubba   21 years ago

    When Schwarzenegger was elected, the Dem congressmen offered him all the time off he wanted to make movies.

  9. crimethink   21 years ago

    Of course, the problem is, that it's up to Congress to enforce this law. It's no surprise that they don't.

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