Congessional Privilege Myths in Support Of The Proposed 28th Amendmet

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the Citizens of the United States..."

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon their states. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

While no one can reasonably argue agaiost the need to pass this amendment, we do our cause great harm if we use myths to promote that cause. Those of us who are shouting for cbange must play by tbe same rules of fairness that we expect from our elected leaders and civil servants.  Self-policing is required .

Here are 2 myths being circulated on the internet in support of  the Amendment - followed by the facts:  

Members of Congress can retire at full pay after only one term.

Here are the facts:

CRS, June 13: Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

 Children of Congress members do not have to pay back their college student loans.Staffers of Congress family members are also exempt from having to payback student loans.

Here are the facts:

Some congressional employees are eligible to have up to $60,000 of student loans repaid after several years — just like other federal workers. But that’s not the case for members of Congress or their families.