David Matteson: Congressional pay too high for unproven ability

To The Daily Sun,

The base salary for members of Congress is $174,000 per year. It sounds like a lot but I used to think that it was fair because they have to maintain a home in their district and another in Washington, D.C. I now think that it is way too high.

In New Hampshire, it takes 800 hours of training and you have to pass an exam to get a barber’s license. To become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) you need to complete 100 hours of training and pass a competency exam. To get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) you have to attend a federally approved entry-level driver training (ELDT), get a CDL medical card and pass knowledge and road skills tests.

Upon Lindsey Graham’s passing his sister has been appointed to finish out his term in the Senate without any relevant experience or training. So if it takes no special training, skills or testing to become a U.S. senator or congressman why does it pay so much more than barbers, CNAs or drivers with CDL licenses?

David Matteson

Meredith