Over Morning Coffee

In January, our representatives and senators head to Washington to be sworn into office. The 117th Congress will be called to order, and the nation’s business will resume. The last session of the grand body had a public approval rating of 17 percent. Obviously, we the people are not pleased with the work, or lack thereof, in Congress. This legislative branch has become an exclusive club far from what the Founders envisioned.

When the Founders designed the three branches of government, they established a two-house legislature with the upper house being more aristocratic, and the lower house more connected to the grass roots. The senators served a six-year term, and representatives two years. As citizen legislators, they were expected to return home to their farms and businesses after the time spent in government.

The Articles of Confederation left decisions about legislator pay up to each state. If payments were made, they were often suspended when lawmakers fell into disfavor with their constituents. When the new Constitution was written, provisions were made for members of Congress to be paid from the federal treasury.

The first senators and representatives were paid $6 per diem for the days they were in session. It was argued that senators should receive a higher payrate because they had more responsibilities, so for a brief time they were paid an extra dollar per day. Today, both chambers are paid the same: $174,000 annually, with the leaders being paid more to compensate for extra duties. The $174,000 salary is in stark contrast with the median household income of $51,017. This leaves too wide of a discrepancy between the everyday Americans and the lawmaking class.

On average, members of Congress are wealthier than the average American. Many are multimillionaires. Speaker Pelosi, for example, shows a net worth of $74.11 million and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lists $11.97 million in assets. Many, such as the Rockefellers and Kennedys inherited great wealth. Some, such as John McCain and Claire McCaskill married into money. Many became rich through investments and money earned in private enterprise before coming to Congress. Outside income is allowed while serving but restricted by ethics laws.

While serving, members also enjoy several perks. The lapel pin allows them to cut to the front of any line, and the congressional license plate grants free parking anywhere. They have healthcare through the ACA, subsidized at 72 percent, and enjoy an on-site beauty salon and a Capitol Hill gym membership. Members and their staff get free business-related travel, foreign and domestic. Congress members do not, as many believe, receive full salary for life upon leaving office. They pay into the Federal Employees Pension System, and may start to receive benefits at age 62 with a cap of 80 percent of final salary.

Congress has become an exclusive club. A 95 percent re-election rate for incumbents provides little opportunity for newcomers to serve. Only 10,363 citizens have served in the House, and 1,307 in the Senate since the first congressional term in 1789. Twenty-nine members of the House have served an average of 40 years, and 25 senators served more than 35 years. The longest tenure was that of Representative John Dingle (D-MI) who was in Congress for 59 years.

The House and Senate have changed over the years and government has become more complex. A part-time, unpaid legislature is no longer feasible. However, the most basic concept of the Founder’s plan never changes. We are a federal system, and Congress was designed to serve the needs of the states. The people elected are there to serve the people of those states.

The Founders never intended to create a class of career politicians. Nevertheless, instead of a government of the people by the people, we are governed by a privileged class. Many of them go to Washington from the ranks of the working class, but after a time in DC, they grow out of touch with the needs and problems of the average American.

As the 117th Congress begins, we must hold our elected representatives and senators accountable. Their non-stop campaign ads over the past months assured us they understand the problems of Iowans. They said they empathize with the problems of farmers, the difficulties of single moms and the plight of small business owners. They have promised to work for Iowa when they get to Washington.

The senators and representatives we send to Washington have been elected to represent Iowa. They remain our citizen legislators and should vote in the best interest of Iowa businesses, agriculture, families and individuals. They have not been sent to Congress to carry out their party’s dictates or bow to the demands of special interests. Iowa’s congressional delegation are there to serve Iowans and we expect them to do the work we send them to do.

Bonnie Ewoldt, of rural Milford, is a retired teacher, news junkie and freelance writer. Her opinion pieces have appeared online and in newspapers across Iowa and neighboring states. Visit her blog at http://www.bonniesblogbox.wordpress.com.