For the 44 years I've been on this planet, I've watched the citizens of this country get poorer while members of Congress get richer and richer. We are taxed, double taxed, and overtaxed. Every dollar I earn is taxed, every dollar I spend is taxed, and even the house that I paid for with money that was already taxed is taxed again. Meanwhile, the United States Congress has done nothing but rob and pillage the American people for way too long.

Congress members currently earn $174,000 a year, while the median income for American households is less than $40,000. This discrepancy is not only staggering but also incredibly unfair, especially considering that it is Congress that has put our nation into such deep debt. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the U.S. national debt reached an unprecedented $31 trillion in 2022. As our representatives, Congress members should be more attuned to the financial realities faced by the average American.

By reducing congressional salaries to the median American income, we send a powerful message: our leaders must share in the economic challenges and realities faced by the people they serve. Aligning their income with that of the average citizen would foster a greater understanding of the hardships many Americans face daily.

Additionally, holding Congress accountable requires more than just a symbolic pay cut. We propose that Congress members contribute to paying down the national debt through a structured restitution policy. This would not only acknowledge their role in accruing the debt but also serve as a step towards financial accountability.

Implementing these changes could alleviate some of the taxpayer's burden and help redirect funds where they are truly needed, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It is time for Congress to bear the responsibility they have in part created. America deserves representatives who live and work under the same constraints as the people they govern.

Please join me in calling for Congress to reduce their salaries to the American median income and take a proactive role in addressing the national debt. Together, we can push for these necessary changes and work towards a more equitable and responsible government. Sign this petition to ensure that Congress understands their duty to serve the people, not profit from them.