Congress gets automatic pay raises while most American families are living off minimum wage. Personally, I do not believe that the members of Congress are earning the $174,000 salary that they receive now. Our tax dollars pay for the pay increases given to Congress; however, we do not receive a pay raise. They should not have been allowed to vote themselves pay raises.

Congress continues to increase our taxes each year to cover the government budget (which includes their salary) but what benefits are we (the people) getting from this? My family of three is living off from one minimum-wage income of $26,000 while Congress members are complaining about their $174,000 salary income. My husband and I applied for the social service programs and were denied. We received a letter in the mail that showed the calculations that they used to determine our eligibility; we made $50 too much to qualify for assistance. Therefore, they must believe that our $26,000 a year income is more than sufficient to support a family of three.

Why are the people, who elect the members of Congress, expected to live comfortably off minimum wage, yet Congress claims $174,000 is not enough for them to live comfortably? I do not have the answer to this, but I know that my family could do many things with $174,000.

Elizabeth Figueroa

Lowville

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