• Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
Monday, October 13, 2025
Illinois Review
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
No Result
View All Result
Illinois Review
No Result
View All Result
Home Illinois News

Congressional Membership has its Privileges | Open The Books Oversight Report

Illinois Review by Illinois Review
June 19, 2020
in Illinois News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
1
26
SHARES
435
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Illinois-based 'Open The Books' has a new report out. This 28-page report details all of the benefits received by members of Congress. Download your complimentary copy of the report here.

You might also like

Biden-Appointed Judge With Soros Ties Blocks National Guard From Chicago as City Remains a Warzone

Walgreens Abandons Chicago, Flees a Crime-Infested Downtown Under Pritzker and Johnson

President Trump Blasts Pritzker, Johnson on Truth Social: They “Should Be in Jail” for Endangering Federal ICE Agents

Emmy award winning journalist, Kristine Frazao summarized the findings in a TV news segment:

1. Salary

Members of Congress earn a $174,000 base salary. The Speaker of the House ($223,500), Majority and Minority Leaders ($193,400), and President Pro Tempore ($193,400) make more.

Outside income is restricted, but members of Congress often received exemptions. We discovered that some members were employed by a federal contractor – reaping billions in taxpayer funds – located in the member’s district while key executives donated five and six figures to the member’s campaign fund.

2. Pension Annuity & Social Security

Members vest in their federal pension in 5 years and can take payments as early as age 50. Members are also eligible for social security. No member of Congress has ever been stripped of their federal pension due to a conviction because the ethics law is riddled with loopholes.

The pension annuity payouts to federal retirees are considered private information and not subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act. It will take an act of Congress to change the law (H.R.2612).

3. Worker’s Compensation

For job related injuries, members are covered under Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance. Jessie Jackson, Jr. infamously claimed workers comp by successfully arguing that Congress made him mentally ill.

4. Travel Expenditures

Members of Congress spent $21.2 million on 16,367 overseas trips between 2007 and 2018. Republicans spent $11.6 million and Democrats spent $9.6 million during the period.

Last year, the U.S. House spent $4.3 million on overseas travel. France was one of the top destinations listed on the disclosures published in the Congressional Record. One representative took trips to Italy, Morocco, and France costing taxpayers $75,000. Another member spent 9 days in Australia costing $22,400.

5. Perks: Free Parking

The congressional license plates allow members to park illegally; parking is free at Reagan National; flights to and from the district are free and members have a dedicated customer service line to handle reservations.

Other Perquisites

Members receive up to 195 days off per year (out-of-session); 72% subsidized healthcare; and taxpayer subsidized $25 per-month gym membership with sauna, steam room, paddleball, and swimming pool.

6. Office Allotment

Based on population, member office allotments average $1.3 million annually in the House and $3.2 million to $5.1 million per year in the Senate. California U.S. Senators receive over $30 million during their six-year term. 

7. Appropriated Settlement Funds

Members have appropriated a fund to bail themselves out of #MeToo and other troubles. Settlements totaling $17.6 million from 275 cases had an average settlement payout of $64,000 from years 1997 to 2018. 

8. Perks: Elevators & Doormen

Senators have Members Only elevators with doorkeepers who push the buttons. These employees make $45,000 per year. The doorkeeper supervisors make $65,000 and the doorkeeper director earns $95,000.

9. Working Hours

In 2019 and the first two weeks of 2020, the House was in session for only 850 hours and the Senate for 1,003 hours. 

10. Legislation

Congress passed a bi-partisan federal budget $1 trillion in the red. The 2,313 page bill was dropped 24-hours before members voted. No one had time to even read the bill.

Related

Share10Tweet7
Previous Post

The Mainstream Media Will Not Tell the Truth About Black Lives Matter

Next Post

Perkins: The Trans Teen Revolution

Illinois Review

Illinois Review

Recommended For You

$725,000 in Democrat Cash Fuels Ted Dabrowski’s GOP Governor Run

by Illinois Review
October 1, 2025
0
$725,000 in Democrat Cash Fuels Ted Dabrowski’s GOP Governor Run

By Illinois ReviewRepublican primary voters expect their candidates to be supported by fellow Republicans – especially those who share their values and fight against the radical left’s agenda....

Read moreDetails

‘Word to Your Mother’: Illinois GOP’s Bizarre New Apparel Rollout

by Illinois Review
September 30, 2025
0
‘Word to Your Mother’: Illinois GOP’s Bizarre New Apparel Rollout

By Illinois ReviewThe Illinois Republican Party rolled out a new line of apparel this week, branding it with phrases like “Word to Your Mother” and “Stop, Cooperate and...

Read moreDetails

Dabrowski’s Campaign Bankrolled by Democrat Donors Tied to Johnson and Pritzker Allies

by Illinois Review
September 30, 2025
0
Dabrowski’s Campaign Bankrolled by Democrat Donors Tied to Johnson and Pritzker Allies

By Illinois ReviewFormer Wirepoints president and Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski is making waves – not for his policies, but for his donors. His campaign is bankrolled...

Read moreDetails

Uihlein’s $250K Bet on Dabrowski Follows Costly Losses That Ushered in Pritzker Era

by Illinois Review
September 29, 2025
0
Uihlein’s $250K Bet on Dabrowski Follows Costly Losses That Ushered in Pritzker Era

By Illinois ReviewMoney has long shaped Illinois politics, and no Republican donor has given more in recent years than Richard Uihlein. But while his checkbook has been massive,...

Read moreDetails

Mayor Johnson’s 6% Approval Shows: Race-Baiting Can’t Cover up Epic Public Safety Failure

by Illinois Review
September 29, 2025
0
Mayor Johnson’s 6% Approval Shows: Race-Baiting Can’t Cover up Epic Public Safety Failure

By Illinois ReviewChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson escalated his rhetoric in Washington last week, framing criticism of his administration and national policy debates through the lens of race. Speaking...

Read moreDetails
Next Post

Perkins: The Trans Teen Revolution

Please login to join discussion

Best Dental Group

Related News

IL Freedom Caucus calls on Lurie Children’s Hospital to cease gender services for kids

October 27, 2022

Beckman: Is the Brigham Young University racial slur controversy another hoax?

October 27, 2022

Salvi polling shows closer race

October 27, 2022

Browse by Category

  • America First
  • Education
  • Faith & Family
  • Foreign Policy
  • Health Care
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • Opinion
  • Science
  • Second Amendment
  • TRENDING
  • US NEWS
  • US Politics
  • World News
Illinois Review

llinois Review LLC Editor-in-Chief Mark Vargas General Counsel Scott Kaspar Copyright © 2025 IR Media Corp., all rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • Checkout
  • Home
  • Home – mobile
  • Login/Register
  • Login/Register
  • My account
  • My Account-
  • My Account- – mobile

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • Health Care
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • TRENDING
  • Education
  • Foreign Policy
  • Second Amendment
  • Faith & Family
  • Science
  • World News

llinois Review LLC Editor-in-Chief Mark Vargas General Counsel Scott Kaspar Copyright © 2025 IR Media Corp., all rights reserved.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?