Adage : Common etiquette says not to talk about politics, religion, or money.
Well, since its TAXPAYER money being spent, maybe it’s time to break that rule when the budget grows from $277,000 to $415,000 in 10 years !
As the new Congress is being sworn in, they will address many issues with spending being a prime concern … and they will elect many officers. One position to be filled is that of Chaplain.
Actually, that would be two chaplains — as the Senate chaplain earns $151,000 a year, and the House chaplain earns $172,500 a year.
By reference a Member of Congress last year could have earned $174,000 … in essence, the Chaplain will earn almost as much as a Member of Congress !
However there are exceptions … like Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN-01) who every month this year has returned to the US Treasury $ 732 … or $8,784 for the year, making Congressman Walz’s take-home pay $ 165,216 … the same pay rate that was in effect when candidate Walz won election in 2006 … a practice that Congressman Walz maintained since Day One as his family’s contribution to reducing the national deficit.
The budgets for their office operations and staff are included in the annual legislative branch appropriations. The House has budgeted $415,000 for Office of the Chaplain for this year. Besides the salaries, the current Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black has a chief of staff, communications director and executive assistant helping him.
By contrast, in 2000, the Office of the Chaplain was funded for $277,000.
At one time, the Chaplins were a volutary position. In late 1994, prior to the convening of the 104th Congress, some thought was given to having volunteers of rotating denominations fill the post of House chaplain. However, the Republican leadership decided to maintain a full-time paid chaplain.
Besides offering a Opening Prayer, what is it that they provide that benefits the taxpayer and the government in general ?
The chaplains perform ceremonial, symbolic, and pastoral duties. They open the daily sessions in the chambers of each house with a prayer; serve as spiritual counselors to Members, their families, and staff; conduct Bible studies, discussion sessions, and prayer meetings for Members
Well, let’s just look at the schudule for this upcoming Friday …
Dr. Barry Black schedules Senate Bible Studies that are open to Congressional Members and Staff … with Lunch provided. There is also, a Muslim Congressional Jummah Prayer Service, a Latter Day Saints Staffer Scripture Study, and a Friday Rosary.
Besides the formal Chaplin function, the House also maintains various approved organizations such as the Congressional Jewish Staff Association, the Congressional Muslim Staff Association, and the Capitol Hill Bible Study Staff Association … each sponsored by a Member of the House of Representatives.
In today’s political world, it is not unusual that religion will not be part of the discussion, but should the TAXPAYER have to foot the bill … why not use volunteers ?
America is a religiously diversified country … just look at the last Congress … although it was dominated by Roman Catholics, there was a significant number of Baptists and Methodists with a smaller number of members of the Jewish, Presbyterian, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Unitarian Universalists faiths … and even one atheist.
Why do we want to have an election for Chaplin … and why should the TAXPAYERS pay so much for his service ?
Voters hear all the time that Government should be run like a Business … well, I will bet that there are very few businesses that invite a Chaplin in for daily prayers … and none that pay him over $150,000.
But if you want to see YOUR EMPLOYEE in action, tune into C-SPAN at 11AM to see the sessions’ Opening Prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
File Under : Washington’s reckless spending – Politics, Religion, and Money
Chaplin does more than Walz so he should make more! Plus he doe snot spend near what Walz does.
[…] House Chaplin Take-home Pay Is More Than Tim Walz. […]
[…] House Chaplin Take-home Pay Is More Than Tim Walz […]
Is this a battle of who spends more regardless of where the money goes? If it is evident that the money is put to very, very good use and that no cuts especially where health is concerned, is necessary, then by all means, grant the necessary budget.
If the company was 238 years old and they had a chaplain for most of that time then it would probably continue that tradition much like the US Congress has. It always amazes me how people forget or disregard what the country was founded on. It was not founded on other world religions, it is open to other world religions, but was not founded on those religions and shouldn’t acquiesce to those religions. In my opinion, America should always be about the founding fathers vision and if some would like to pursue a different vision, they, like the founding fathers, are free to leave on boats or planes and seek out a new land where they can freely worship the way they want to and freely seek to build a new country where they can put into place the values they hold dear. That is what America stands for and you are free to leave and pursue whatever you want to. That is what the founding fathers did.
YES, THE CHAPLAIN, AND OTHER RELIGIONS, GET PAID BY TAX DOLLARS….WHAT ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT’S ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE?
DON’T GIVE ME A BULL CRAP ARGUMENT THAT ITS “NECESSARY.”
I’LL TELL YOU WHAT’S NECESSARY…A MOMENT OF SILENCE!
NOT A “NON-DENOMINATIONAL INTERFAITH PRAYER.”
IF IT’S SO NECESSARY…HAVE THEM VOLUNTEER…NOT GET PAID WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS!
There should be no paid religious in government. There should be no opening prayer at any government meeting. There should be no oath that references any god, nor use of the bible. Imposing religion, over and above the Pledge of Allegiance is contrary to the important separation of church and state.
The Senate impeachment trial began with Senate chaplain Barry Black invoking his Christian god for all members who, by their assemblage and devoid of objection, acquiesced. What media coverage on this aspect, this financial and ethical drain, might there be? I expect none.
Hi Jake,
Welcome to the MN Political Roundtable where comments are encouraged.
FYI, the salary for chaplains has changed since when this post was written. Since you cited the Senate, his current salary is $160,787 per annum while the House is $172,500 [Fun Fact, the current salary for House Members is $174,000.]
If you remember the Paul Ryan – Patrick Conroy “firing” and subsequent re-instating, in essence, the Speaker controls who “preaches” … and who speaks can be controversial … Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY-01) blasted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for allowing Imam Omar Suleiman to open the session that was timed to start with Ramadan. While the invocation is given predominately by Christians, this session featured a Native American — Isleta Pueblo Chief Judge Verna Teller who asked blessings from the “Creator and Great Mother” … not sure if they have included other faiths (i.e. Baha’i, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Shinto, Jain, Confucian, Daoist)
Another Fun Fact : The opening prayer is limited to 150 words.
If you watch the typical opening of the session, there are very few Members present … however, where you do see a lot of Members present is when religious-based groups offer free trips. For example, the American Israel Education Foundation invited 41 Democrats and 31 Republicans (and their guests) for a week-long trip to Israel during the August recess. And over the Fourth of July break, congressional staff ( 7 GOP and 3 Dems) were guests. These trips cost the taxpayers nothing but Israeli foundation paid over $12 grand per person.
Mac Hall