Congress awards bonuses to top aides

[Patranus]

House quietly gives 'bonuses' to top aides

A month after they voted to punish some corporate executives for taking hefty bonus payouts, members of the House of Representatives quietly gave their own staffers a new potential bonus by making even their top-earning aides eligible for taxpayer dollars to repay their student loans.

The change, which took effect in May, means House employees earning up to $168,411, or the top level, are now eligible for government-funded subsidies to help pay down their student loans.

House officials defend the change as a job-related benefit necessary to keep the government competitive in the hiring market - the same argument corporate chieftains used to defend their own pay scales.

http://www.washingtontimes.com...s-pay-top-aides/print/

Do as I say not as I do. When will these people 'get it'?

It is not necessarily health care people are upset about, it is out of control government.

 

[spidey07]

Grab the pitch forks! Outrage at this excessive compensation! rabble, rabble, rabble!

-edit-
Wait a second, what?
"by making even their top-earning aides eligible for taxpayer dollars to repay their student loans. "

Yes, we should be extremely outraged over this.

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: Patranus
House quietly gives 'bonuses' to top aides

A month after they voted to punish some corporate executives for taking hefty bonus payouts, members of the House of Representatives quietly gave their own staffers a new potential bonus by making even their top-earning aides eligible for taxpayer dollars to repay their student loans.

The change, which took effect in May, means House employees earning up to $168,411, or the top level, are now eligible for government-funded subsidies to help pay down their student loans.

House officials defend the change as a job-related benefit necessary to keep the government competitive in the hiring market - the same argument corporate chieftains used to defend their own pay scales.

http://www.washingtontimes.com...s-pay-top-aides/print/

Do as I say not as I do. When will these people 'get it'?

It is not necessarily health care people are upset about, it is out of control government.

:disgust:

 

[Patranus]

What time is Obama's press conference to scold these reps like children?

 

[ayabe]

Staffers are fucking interns, give me a break.

What qualities do they look for? Ability to read and operate a blackberry?

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: Patranus
What time is Obama's press conference to scold these reps like children?

Never??

This is a fundamental philosophy among todays leftists in that a Government is best and better able to make decisions for people. Because of this belief, it follows that what is vilified in the private sector is embraced in the public.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Good for them. I have no problem with it.

 

[Wreckem]

This has alway happened. Now its more official.

And it comes from the Rep's or Senators office budget. Its always been common to give staff bonuses when it came near the end of the budget cycle. Any remaining gets divied up, and those with student loans get them paid off.

You also have to understand, you dont just start out at the $164k. Thats cheif of staff money. Most people start out as staff assistants and make $36k or so. $36k isnt a whole lot of money when living in DC.

As for high level earners. High level aides could easily leave and go into lobbying and make twice as much or more. More so right now if you are democratic aide.

Democratic lobbyist are making BANK right now.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Wreckem
This has alway happened. Now its more official.

And it comes from the Rep's or Senators office budget. Its always been common to give staff bonuses when it came near the end of the budget cycle. Any remaining gets divied up, and those with student loans get them paid off.

You also have to understand, you dont just start out at the $164k. Thats cheif of staff money. Most people start out as staff assistants and make $36k or so. $36k isnt a whole lot of money when living in DC.

As for high level earners. High level aides could easily leave and go into lobbying and make twice as much or more. More so right now if you are democratic aide.

Democratic lobbyist are making BANK right now.

Ok, so why didn't they limit the "bonus" to staffers making under, say, $50,000?

I think the point is that Congress is saying it's ok to pay bonuses, even if your organization is running a trillion dollar deficit, but only if you're the government.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Wreckem
This has alway happened. Now its more official.

And it comes from the Rep's or Senators office budget. Its always been common to give staff bonuses when it came near the end of the budget cycle. Any remaining gets divied up, and those with student loans get them paid off.

You also have to understand, you dont just start out at the $164k. Thats cheif of staff money. Most people start out as staff assistants and make $36k or so. $36k isnt a whole lot of money when living in DC.

As for high level earners. High level aides could easily leave and go into lobbying and make twice as much or more. More so right now if you are democratic aide.

Democratic lobbyist are making BANK right now.

A staff assistant would likely start closer to $26k, and that's after spending at least six months either interning or unemployed and looking. Depending on the office, that staff assistant could likely be working 11-hour days.

$164k is near the very top you could make. After all, that's just $10k less than members make.

Also, student loan repayment is limited by office. In other words, yes, you can get up to $10k, but that means there will be little left over for the rest of the staffers in your office. I doubt that the rest of the office will be very happy if the chief of staff pulling $164k takes the bulk of the office's allowance for student loan repayment

There's plenty to be outraged about among the benefits federal employees receive (start with the GS), but you're wasting your time looking for it among the 22- to 35-year-old shlubs working slave hours (for near-slave pay) on the Hill

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: Patranus
House quietly gives 'bonuses' to top aides

A month after they voted to punish some corporate executives for taking hefty bonus payouts, members of the House of Representatives quietly gave their own staffers a new potential bonus by making even their top-earning aides eligible for taxpayer dollars to repay their student loans.

The change, which took effect in May, means House employees earning up to $168,411, or the top level, are now eligible for government-funded subsidies to help pay down their student loans.

House officials defend the change as a job-related benefit necessary to keep the government competitive in the hiring market - the same argument corporate chieftains used to defend their own pay scales.

http://www.washingtontimes.com...s-pay-top-aides/print/

Do as I say not as I do. When will these people 'get it'?

It is not necessarily health care people are upset about, it is out of control government.

So you equate the senate spending aprox. $4 mill a year paying student loans as bonuses to exec's getting $40+ billion in 2008. I think the senate plan should be expanded to cover other people in public service or volunteer work.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM


So you equate the senate spending aprox. $4 mill a year paying student loans as bonuses to exec's getting $40+ billion in 2008. I think the senate plan should be expanded to cover other people in public service or volunteer work.

It's the flat out in your face hypocrisy that is wrong. Obama and his ilk went on a public bash complain tour about anybody getting a bonus and then appointed a pay czar to make sure such an "outrageous" thing didn't happen again. Yep, a pay czar.

And the gubment goes and does the EXACT SAME THING using the EXACT SAME reasoning that those in the private sector understood were necessary compensation to retain or lure talent.

It's flat out hypocrisy. What are the pay czars thoughts on such excessive compensation and bonuses? How about we ask Obama to his face what he thinks about this and see his true colors once again? Do as I say, not as I do.

 

[Druidx]

I'm sure the bonuses were based on the approval rating of congress. Oh wait.... nevermind.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Obama and his ilk went on a public bash complain tour about anybody getting a bonus

Funny how easy it is to make a point when you completely mischaracterize your opponent's position. Obama didn't complain about "anybody" getting a bonus. Just certain people, specifically execs at bailed out firms. I have a feeling Obama has no problems with people who make under $250,000/yr getting a xmas bonus.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM


So you equate the senate spending aprox. $4 mill a year paying student loans as bonuses to exec's getting $40+ billion in 2008. I think the senate plan should be expanded to cover other people in public service or volunteer work.

It's the flat out in your face hypocrisy that is wrong. Obama and his ilk went on a public bash complain tour about anybody getting a bonus and then appointed a pay czar to make sure such an "outrageous" thing didn't happen again. Yep, a pay czar.

And the gubment goes and does the EXACT SAME THING using the EXACT SAME reasoning that those in the private sector understood were necessary compensation to retain or lure talent.

It's flat out hypocrisy. What are the pay czars thoughts on such excessive compensation and bonuses? How about we ask Obama to his face what he thinks about this and see his true colors once again? Do as I say, not as I do.

You are comparing multi-billion bonuses to chump change $5-10k bonuses. There is extremely high turnover on the Hill. Most high level aides could likely score better jobs in other agencies or more money in Lobbying.

I know a former Deputy Cheif of Staff. He making more part time working for a lobbying group than he made full time. And let me tell you while low level staff puts in slave like hours, high level staff puts in even more.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Wreckem
This has alway happened. Now its more official.

And it comes from the Rep's or Senators office budget. Its always been common to give staff bonuses when it came near the end of the budget cycle. Any remaining gets divied up, and those with student loans get them paid off.

You also have to understand, you dont just start out at the $164k. Thats cheif of staff money. Most people start out as staff assistants and make $36k or so. $36k isnt a whole lot of money when living in DC.

As for high level earners. High level aides could easily leave and go into lobbying and make twice as much or more. More so right now if you are democratic aide.

Democratic lobbyist are making BANK right now.

A staff assistant would likely start closer to $26k, and that's after spending at least six months either interning or unemployed and looking. Depending on the office, that staff assistant could likely be working 11-hour days.

$164k is near the very top you could make. After all, that's just $10k less than members make.

Also, student loan repayment is limited by office. In other words, yes, you can get up to $10k, but that means there will be little left over for the rest of the staffers in your office. I doubt that the rest of the office will be very happy if the chief of staff pulling $164k takes the bulk of the office's allowance for student loan repayment

There's plenty to be outraged about among the benefits federal employees receive (start with the GS), but you're wasting your time looking for it among the 22- to 35-year-old shlubs working slave hours (for near-slave pay) on the Hill

Im aware of what staffers make. I was an intern for 9 months.

Its varies wildly. Yes $36k is at the high end but $26 is at the low end. I know in-district SAs that make $30k and strictly 8:30-5:00 unless their rep is in town. Anything over your standard 8hr day and you accrue comp time.

 

[cubeless]

holy moly, dude... these 'interns' are the people who invent the legislation that their bosses rubber stamp...

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Wreckem

You are comparing multi-billion bonuses to chump change $5-10k bonuses. There is extremely high turnover on the Hill. Most high level aides could likely score better jobs in other agencies or more money in Lobbying.

I know a former Deputy Cheif of Staff. He making more part time working for a lobbying group than he made full time. And let me tell you while low level staff puts in slave like hours, high level staff puts in even more.

No I am not. I'm comparing the practice of giving a bonus which was chastised by Obama and affected plenty of people making a 5-10K bonus. But do as I say and not as I do say Obama. I still want somebody to ask Obama and the Pay Czar what they think of this.

And the artcile mentions the pay grade up to 170K a year, aren't they making enough money. They don't need a bonus or tax payer money. That's the reasoning from the looney left regarding other's compensation so why does it not apply here?

 

[waggy]

yeah i do find it funny that they bitched about people getting a bonus and trying to break the law to take it away. yet they give high bonus's to interns.

but really as i said in the other bonus thread the people who are getting them deserve them.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Wreckem

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Wreckem
This has alway happened. Now its more official.

And it comes from the Rep's or Senators office budget. Its always been common to give staff bonuses when it came near the end of the budget cycle. Any remaining gets divied up, and those with student loans get them paid off.

You also have to understand, you dont just start out at the $164k. Thats cheif of staff money. Most people start out as staff assistants and make $36k or so. $36k isnt a whole lot of money when living in DC.

As for high level earners. High level aides could easily leave and go into lobbying and make twice as much or more. More so right now if you are democratic aide.

Democratic lobbyist are making BANK right now.

A staff assistant would likely start closer to $26k, and that's after spending at least six months either interning or unemployed and looking. Depending on the office, that staff assistant could likely be working 11-hour days.

$164k is near the very top you could make. After all, that's just $10k less than members make.

Also, student loan repayment is limited by office. In other words, yes, you can get up to $10k, but that means there will be little left over for the rest of the staffers in your office. I doubt that the rest of the office will be very happy if the chief of staff pulling $164k takes the bulk of the office's allowance for student loan repayment

There's plenty to be outraged about among the benefits federal employees receive (start with the GS), but you're wasting your time looking for it among the 22- to 35-year-old shlubs working slave hours (for near-slave pay) on the Hill

Im aware of what staffers make. I was an intern for 9 months.

Its varies wildly. Yes $36k is at the high end but $26 is at the low end. I know in-district SAs that make $30k and strictly 8:30-5:00 unless their rep is in town. Anything over your standard 8hr day and you accrue comp time.

Ah, I thought we were talking about congressional staffers inside the beltway. Also, the low end has been pushed pretty low...the Obama campaign and the excitement that surrounded it combined with the recent graduations mean every entry level opening gets hundreds of extremely well-qualified applicants.

Down in DC, one in 20 SAs/LCs are hourly and thus receive comp time. The other 19 are on salary, and, yes, are expected to do those long hours unless their boss is very safe, doesn't have pet issues, and isn't remotely considering higher office.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Wreckem

You are comparing multi-billion bonuses to chump change $5-10k bonuses. There is extremely high turnover on the Hill. Most high level aides could likely score better jobs in other agencies or more money in Lobbying.

I know a former Deputy Cheif of Staff. He making more part time working for a lobbying group than he made full time. And let me tell you while low level staff puts in slave like hours, high level staff puts in even more.

No I am not. I'm comparing the practice of giving a bonus which was chastised by Obama and affected plenty of people making a 5-10K bonus. But do as I say and not as I do say Obama. I still want somebody to ask Obama and the Pay Czar what they think of this.

And the artcile mentions the pay grade up to 170K a year, aren't they making enough money. They don't need a bonus or tax payer money. That's the reasoning from the looney left regarding other's compensation so why does it not apply here?

Congressional staff doesn't do pay grades. You're thinking general scale employees -- who get paid more and have way more job security than congressional staff.

Also, you ask if they're making "enough money." Do you suggest that there should be a cap on the amount of money people can make? That's not a very capitalist idea...

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Congressional staff doesn't do pay grades. You're thinking general scale employees -- who get paid more and have way more job security than congressional staff.

Also, you ask if they're making "enough money." Do you suggest that there should be a cap on the amount of money people can make? That's not a very capitalist idea...

Oh not at all. People should be able to make however much they are worth no matter what that amount is. But the looney left's reasoning has always been "they make enough" so it's OK to limit people's compensation.

As such they should be outraged at these bonuses. Instead you're seeing apologists and hypocrisy.

 

[brandonbull]

Who gives a crap. The government is getting bailed-out by China and others so they do not deserve bonuses. We bitched about anyone receiving bonuses at the private companies that got TARP funds. Until the government is "making money", no bonuses.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Congressional staff doesn't do pay grades. You're thinking general scale employees -- who get paid more and have way more job security than congressional staff.

Also, you ask if they're making "enough money." Do you suggest that there should be a cap on the amount of money people can make? That's not a very capitalist idea...

Oh not at all. People should be able to make however much they are worth no matter what that amount is. But the looney left's reasoning has always been "they make enough" so it's OK to limit people compensation.

As such they should be outraged at these bonuses. Instead you're seeing appologist and hypocrisy.

I'm confused as to why this is being called a bonus and not an expanded benefit. They get the student loan repayment once a month, not once a year at Christmas time. It's likely something that's negotiated into their contract when they get hired... or renegotiated into their contract during an annual review.

As for "they make enough," I would say that they certainly earn their $15 an hour much more than the AIG execs mentioned in the same article earn their $500+ an hour.

As for loony left, do you think anyone in the offices of Representatives Dan Lungren, Kevin McCarthy, or Gregg Harper, receive student loan reimbursement?

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Congressional staff doesn't do pay grades. You're thinking general scale employees -- who get paid more and have way more job security than congressional staff.

Also, you ask if they're making "enough money." Do you suggest that there should be a cap on the amount of money people can make? That's not a very capitalist idea...

Oh not at all. People should be able to make however much they are worth no matter what that amount is. But the looney left's reasoning has always been "they make enough" so it's OK to limit people compensation.

As such they should be outraged at these bonuses. Instead you're seeing appologist and hypocrisy.

I'm confused as to why this is being called a bonus and not an expanded benefit. They get the student loan repayment once a month, not once a year at Christmas time. It's likely something that's negotiated into their contract when they get hired... or renegotiated into their contract during an annual review.

As for "they make enough," I would say that they certainly earn their $15 an hour much more than the AIG execs mentioned in the same article earn their $500+ an hour.

As for loony left, do you think anyone in the offices of Representatives Dan Lungren, Kevin McCarthy, or Gregg Harper, receive student loan reimbursement?

Spidey07 should definitely call them and check. And of course the more times he uses the phrase "hypocritical loony left" during the call the better.