Who'd Have Thunk It? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Senators and representatives

The US Congress is a legislative body with two separate chambers: the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Officially, both senators and representatives are part of Congress. But standard usage of "congressman/woman" is almost always limited to members of the House (representatives). Senators are referred to as "senators."

To avoid confusion in this quiz, the term "Congress" refers to both chambers collectively; members of the House will be called "the House", or "representatives."

Answer: Be a native-born US citizen

As stated in the US Constitution, eligibility to serve as a representative requires at least seven years US citizenship. Many present and former representatives were born in foreign countries to American parents, thus acquiring citizenship by birth. But at least three representatives (from Taiwan, Japan, and Guatemala) were naturalized US citizens.

In 2015, the youngest Representative was Elise Stefanik (R-New York), aged 31. The youngest person EVER elected to the House was William C.C. Claiborne of Tennessee. Claiborne won two consecutive terms in 1797 and 1799 at ages of 22 and 24, but failed to meet official age requirements. The House seated him anyway. Who'd have thunk it?

Answer: Be at least 27 years of age

Senatorial eligibility is somewhat more stringent than requirements for the House. A senator must be at least 30 years old when sworn in (five years older than House requirements), and must have at least nine years citizenship (compared to the representative's seven). Several senators were born outside the US.

In 1818, John Henry Eaton of Tennessee became the youngest senator ever sworn in - aged 28 years and 2 months. According to one reference, it was an oversight - no one thought to ask him his age. Doh!

Answer: $174,000 per year

The standard salary for most of Congress in 2014 was $174,000 per annum. The very few exceptions include majority and minority leaders in both Houses, and president pro tem of the Senate ($193,400), and the Speaker of the House ($223,500). While a salary of $174K sure does seem like a lot to me personally, I have to keep in mind that many mid-level business executives earn FAR more.

Members of Congress DO get several allowances in addition to their salaries. Some of these are: a "Representational Allowance" - approx. $1.26 million!; a home state furniture and furnishings allowance - $40K; and an annual cost of living tax deduction of $3000.

Incidentally - the so-called "Congressional Reform Act" is a myth. Various versions have made frequent internet rounds since 1995. Like so many other online hoaxes, the CRA is a mix of fact, fable, and spleen venting.

Answer: Congressmembers all pay Social Security taxes

The myth of Congress getting a "free retirement for life" is just that - a myth. As far back as 1920, federal employees paid into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) - and apparently DID get some impressive retirement packages. Through 1983, congressmen paid no Social Security (SS) tax. But in fairness, their term(s) in office were not creditable toward SS retirement either.

Starting in 1984, these lawmakers were REQUIRED to pay SS taxes. CSRS was not compatible with SS and began phasing out, being replaced by the Federal Employees Retirement System. There is some overlap in the two systems, but CSRS will eventually disappear through attrition.

The bottom line is - ALL members of Congress pay SS, and most also contribute to a pension plan. Once again, the nonexistent "Congressional Reform Act" raises false concerns over issues that don't exist.

Answer: Congress voted AGAINST their own pay increases

By joint resolution, both houses of Congress voted against their own pay raises since 2009, into 2015. A bit of a shock, eh? Who'd have thunk it?

Answer: A budgeted allowance for official business only

Congress (and other high officials) are given a budgeted postage allowance. The exact amount varies, depending on a complicated (of course!) formula. Commonly called "franking," or simply "the frank," the free mailing privilege has been a part of American politics since 1775, and a source of controversy ever since.

Franking was poorly managed in the past, but numerous reforms have reined in some of the worst abuses. The franking privilege may not be used to earn votes. It may only be used for matters of public service or public concern. One example of franking restriction forbids Congressional mass mailings within 90 days of a primary or general election, if the member is up for reelection. Of course, members can just mail things out earlier! Nevertheless, progress has been made. From 1988 to 2006, yearly Congressional franking costs DROPPED from $113 million to a "mere" $34 million.

Franking remains a controversial issue; opponents feel the frank still gives too much advantage to incumbents; proponents feel that without the frank, many congress members could not communicate important information to their district.

Did you know - former Presidents and widows of Presidents get franking privileges for LIFE?

Answer: There are two gyms; they are not free

Like everything on Capitol Hill, it's an intricate answer. There are several variations in the facts. But stripping away the pork (hehe), gives this essence: There are two gyms for lawmakers themselves. The Senate gym ("The Senate Staff Health and Fitness Facility") is said to be nicer than the House Gym. It sure sounds nicer! Membership in the gyms WAS free until 1992; recent fee quotes are $40/month for the Senate; $20/month for House members.

In 2004, a "Senate Staff Exercise Facility" in the Dirksen Office Building was offered ($20 monthly fee) for the use of nearly 6000! Senate staffers - worker bees. About 60 bees per senator? DANG! Costs for both Senate facilities are "offset" by funds from the Senate Recycling Program. Although House staffers seem to be left in the fitness outback, a "feasibility study is being done." Smiles.

Remember the budget crisis of 2013? All non-essential government services were shut down? The Senate staffers facility was closed, and the employees at the House and Senate gyms were furloughed. But the gyms themselves remained open for use by Congress. Who'd have thunk it?

Answer: Five years

After five years in Congress, a member "qualifies." Five years? Are you kidding me? That's obscene! Wait - it's not quite blatant robbery.

US senators luck out on this one; their term of office is six years, so they are vested after one term. A member of the House (a two year term of office) needs to be reelected twice more to qualify. With at least five years service, both can start drawing a pension - WHEN they are age 62! But that minimum term won't give them a cash cow; the 2014 MINIMUM retirement amount was about $16,000/year.

Of course, many Congressionals serve more than six years. Just as with almost any pension plan, additional service earns more benefits. Members with 20 years service may start drawing at age 50; those with over 25 years in Congress may take their pension at any age. And despite all the internet rumors, the retirement isn't free. Members pay Social Security AND pension plan premiums throughout their careers.

Congress doesn't get a totally free ride on the gravy train. Who'd have thunk it?

Answer: No - Congressional status alone does not qualify

Congressional status alone does NOT qualify a person for burial in a National Cemetery. There are some eight categories of individuals eligible for interment in National Cemetery. If a deceased senator or representative is in one of those categories, they would be eligible. For example - if Senator X had served in the military, she would be eligible.

This myth may have come into being because for many years after WW2, almost every congressman was a veteran, thus eligible. These days, very few in Congress have the military service to make the grade (or sub-grade, as it were) for National Cemetery burial.