Steve Southerland, Florida GOP Congressman: $174,000 Salary 'Not So Much'

According to the U.S. Census Bureau the median household income in 2009 was $49,177, almost $98,000 less than what a member of the House of Representatives makes. But that's apparently not enough for Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.).

During a town hall meeting in Florida on Wednesday, when asked about his pay, the congressman told his constituents that his yearly salary of $174,000 was "not so much" -- especially once you account for the number of hours he works, the fact he had to sever ties with his family's funeral home business upon assuming office, and the heightened danger he faces as a public official.

"By the way, did I mention? They're shooting at us. There is law-enforcement security in this room right now, and why is that?" Southerland told his constituents, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. "If you think this job pays too much, with those kinds of risks and cutting me off from my family business, I'll just tell you: This job don't mean that much to me. I had a good life in Panama City."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee criticized the congressman for the comment.

“It’s unbelievable how far out of touch Representative Steve Southerland is with Florida families if he thinks his $174,000 salary is not so much,” said spokesman Adam Hodge in a press release. “While he’s complaining about only making $174,000, his constituents are struggling to put food on the table, keep a roof over their head or find a job.”

Earlier this year, Florida became the stingiest state in the country when it comes to unemployment benefits, reducing the maximum benefits for people laid off through no fault of their own to 23 weeks. Florida’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation at 10.7 percent.

Southerland’s comments are similar to what Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) said at his own town hall meeting in March when he complained that he "drives a used minivan" and assured his constituents that, "I have more debt than all of you."

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) also has made comments lamenting her congressional pay. In April, when asked if she would forgo her pay if the government shutdown the congresswoman replied that she couldn't because, "I live paycheck to paycheck."

Comments

[corydonron]

11:29 PM on 08/30/2011

Thats the problem the job does't mean anything to him! what arrogance! When did he get shot at?

[corydonron]

11:24 PM on 08/30/2011

Congressman also get an expense budget of over a million dollars besides all the perks they get along with thier Pay. Gready Florida crybaby

[whosallen]

02:12 PM on 08/30/2011

If he thinks he is under-paid and over-worked, why did he seek the job? Just to be a blister on the country's collective butt? I for one wish he could serve at his former business. If it that lucrative for him he should retrun to private enterprise - you know bleeding the dead instead of the living poor.

[imacmadman]

09:06 PM on 08/29/2011

I live paycheck to paycheck too, Steve, but on about $120,000 less than you.

Hush!

[TwilightSamurai13]

05:46 PM on 08/29/2011

I believe it's time for a recall so he can go back to "...a good life in Panama City". If you voted for this whiner who just started his job go ahead and kick yourself. I would like for this gentleman to go ahead and address this the same way in front of a crowd of police officers, firefighters, teachers, and service members. So much for representing your constituents - you are completely out of touch Steve-O.

[plzchuteme]

04:32 PM on 08/29/2011

To Representative Duffy: I am not impressed with your tale of woes. EVERYBODY who drives a mini-van drives a used mini-van. As far as his debt, it is not a revenue problem, it is a SPENDING problem. You just can't spend more money than you take in...it is unsustainable!!

[Benjacomin Bozart]

04:27 PM on 08/29/2011

He "works" three days a week and has a month or two of vacation but considering the money he will be making as a lobbyist he is underpaid.

[plzchuteme]

04:23 PM on 08/29/2011

Maybe, Congressman Southerland would like to make his tax returns public, and an accounting of his benefits for present and future so everyone can see how little he makes. I'm sure that once people saw how destitute he was, a collection could be taken up amongst the homeless to help him out.

[Eris23Skidoo]

04:13 PM on 08/29/2011

Steve Southerland thinks that he is being shot at merely because he has security guards? I wonder how that sounds to our troops who actually ARE being shot at, and for a LOT less than $174,000.

[drwtsn]

04:33 PM on 08/29/2011

Or the Police, or even his own security guards.

[plzchuteme]

04:34 PM on 08/29/2011

There is a security guard posted at the Target I go to. I thought his job was to hold down the carpet. I didn't realize that someone was out to shoot me. I'll start wearing my vest when I go shopping.

[92102]

04:11 PM on 08/29/2011

The good news for Mr. Southerland is that if he does get shot he can get a family discount on his funeral.

[plzchuteme]

04:36 PM on 08/29/2011

His title is either Representative or Congressman Southerland...but you can call him, "Digger."

[SMC281]

03:06 PM on 08/29/2011

If the job doesn't mean that much to you, resign. Simple.

[PunKinPai]

03:01 PM on 08/29/2011

Southerland's downplaying his salary and Sanchez saying she lives paycheck to paycheck are very different. Sanchez does not belong to the party that's attacking salaries and benefits of other public employees.

[gochenaur8]

02:49 PM on 08/29/2011

It is not a one sided matter, Democrates and Republicans are all over paid for doing nothing, they can argue between themselves and take money from large companies, ( hint, hint, oil ) and wall street and banks, the list is actually to long to print.
Why do they get away with it, no one want to bring them to trial, just listen to their bull and swallow it and vote for them, I finally have found faith in the American voter that the right thing will be done.

[gochenaur8]

02:39 PM on 08/29/2011

And they just don't have a clue as to why people may be shooting at them, or perhaps they have so much guilt, they expect to be shot.
Just how can he feel that his salary is just, when the people that pays his salary and benifits are starving and send their children to public schools with no idea as to how they can provide for them as well as the people they elect who send their children to private schools and get all the medical attention at the tax payers expense and a salary of $174,000.00.
What is wrong with this picture?

[cloudynights]

01:20 PM on 08/29/2011

"I have more debt than all of you."

So I'm supposed to trust you with this country's debt. Hey, you had a good life in panama city. How 'bout wekickyourass all the way down to Miami?