Democrats Plan a Shorter Workweek

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 â?? Shortly after winning a majority last year, Democrats triumphantly declared that they would put Congress back to work, promising an â??end to the two-day workweek.â?� And indeed, the House has clocked more time in Washington this year than in any other session since 1995, when Republicans, newly in control, sought to make a similar point.

But 10 months into the session, with their legislative agenda often in gridlock with the Bush administration and a big election year looming, the Democrats are now planning a lighter schedule when the 110th Congress begins its second year in mid-January.

The House majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, told fellow Democrats this week that the House would not be in session next year on Fridays, except in June for work on appropriations bills.

Explaining that decision to reporters, Mr. Hoyer said, â??I do intend to have more time for members to work in their districts and to be close to their families.â?�

His comments drew snickers from Republicans, who are quite happy to share their view that the American people did not get much value for all the extra time lawmakers spent in Washington.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/27/wa...on/27cong.html

Dems, Repubs, who gives a rats ass..........the money these people make with the benifit package. DAMN! They don't show for debates or votes now they need a shorter work week?:mad:

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

They must have learned from the alpha omega, Bush himself... How many vacation days has George W. Bush taken to date as president?

Where is someone like Jimmy Carter when you need him?

Congress: Rank-and-File Members' Salary
The current salary (2006) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $165,200 per year.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Member's of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a Congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.
Salaries and Benefits of U.S. Congress Members

Effective January 1, 2001, the annual salary of the president of the United States was increased to $400,000 per year, including a $50,000 expense allowance.

Presidential Retirement and Maintenance
Former President Clinton will get an annual pension of $151,800 plus up to $150,000 a year to maintain an office and staff. Had Hillary Clinton not been elected to the U.S. Senate, she would have received $20,000 per year as a former First Lady.
Presidential Pay and Compensation

I'll agree that the one office abuses just as bad as the others but Carter? I was around in those days.......he wasn't all that believe me! Double digit interest rates, unemployment rates, not to mention we were the laughing stock of the world.

Have a good one!:s4:

Congress is so overworked and underpaid. Hell don't they deserve a 3 day weekend?
I think that if they pass this law then the public should have 3 day weekends too with no reduction in pay.:thumbsup:

I would agree if they reduce their pay by 20%.