By David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor At a time of national wage stagnation and economic uncertainty outside the beltway, a Virginia Democratic congressman wants a raise – arguing that a $174,000 salary isn't enough for a federal legislator to live comfortably in or around Washington, D.C. 'I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid,' Moran told Roll Call. 'I understand that it’s widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world.' Congress' approval rating among voters typically hovers under 20 per cent.
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Congressman Jim Moran, a Virginia Democrat, thinks federal legislators are underpaid
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Zip codes around Washington, D.C. have the nation's highest average household incomes, and housing prices have tracks along with salaries
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With many Americans struggling to make ends meet and U.S. employment participation rate at a 20-year low, a pay raise request sounds callous
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Republicans are insisting on continuing a pay freeze for members of Congress that dates back to 2010
… A lot of members can’t even afford to live decently in @placeholder.'