Reason Alcee Hastings Wants Congress Pay Raise Not Because $174,000 Leads To ‘Sackcloth And Ashes’ – What Is It Then?

Just yesterday, Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings made a claim that Congress needs a pay raise. Hastings said that the average income of a congressman at $174,000 will lead them to a life of “sackcloth and ashes.” Needless to say the general public did not agree with Alcee Hastings, opting that he needed to take a pay cut more than a pay raise. The average per capita income in the United States is just a little over $28,000.

Obviously brain damaged Rep Hastings thinks House “deserves” raise. I’m thinking they DESERVE a big pay cut! http://t.co/yE4ofjuZ4c

— James Bradford (@rasalom666) May 19, 2015

Congress deserves $15 an hour! http://t.co/Ag60ExYW01

— Tina Dupuy (@TinaDupuy) May 19, 2015

The specific reason Alcee Hastings complained about needing a pay raise is the increasing living expenses for Congressmen in Washington D.C. To be fair, there is some legitimacy with his claims as James P. Moran, a Democratic House Representative back in 2014, gave the same argument. Moran however provided a plan which accounted to just over $2,000 added annually. That is not bad at all.

On the other hand, Alcee Hastings failed to provide a pay raise plan nor did he file an appeal feeling it wouldn’t pass. Now, he is in the critical crosshairs again as recent reports uncovered what may be the truth on why Alcee Hastings wanted a pay raise. Apparently, housing and living prices are not the reason.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, Alcee Hastings has a few outstanding legal bills that he needs to worry about. They were accumulated over the course of three decades, starting back in 1981 for corruption charges. IJReview did further research into the situation and was able to list the debts owed as shown below.

• Robert Catz, $500,000 – $1 million debt incurred from 1981 to 1985.
• Terrance Anderson, $1 million – $5 million debt incurred from 1981 to 1989.
• Patricia Williams, $500,000 – $1 million debt incurred from 1981 t0 1989.
• Karr and McClain, $100,000 – $250,000 debt incurred from 1981 to 1989.
• Mark McDonald, $15,000 – $50,000 debt incurred from 1981 to 1983.
• Lewis Meyers, $15,000 – $50,000 debt incurred from 1981 to 1983.
• Bright Star (Mortgage), $100,000 – $250,000 debt incurred from 2009.

Altogether, Alcee Hastings has more than $7.5 million in debt owed to numerous affiliated parties. It appears as if housing is the least of his problems.

[Image via Mark Wilson/Getty]