Broun bashes Gingrey for bemoaning six-figure salary

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) on Wednesday attacked Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), his opponent in the state’s Republican Senate primary, for comments Gingrey made, lamenting making only $172,000 a year.

{mosads}“While most Americans are struggling to make ends meet and battling higher healthcare costs, it’s disappointing that Congressman Gingrey, whose reported net worth exceeds $3 million, complains about being ‘stuck here’ [in Congress] making $172,000 a year,” Broun said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, the National Review reported that Gingrey, in a closed door meeting with his Republican colleagues, lashed out at those who oppose a measure that would require hill staffers to buy healthcare insurance through an ObamaCare exchange.

Gingrey said lower-level hill staffers “may be 33 years old now and not making a lot of money, but in a few years they can just go to K Street and make $500,000 a year.”

“Meanwhile I’m stuck here making $172,000,” he reportedly said.

The proposal being debated would eliminate a federal healthcare subsidy for those employed on Capitol Hill, thereby raising the prices they pay for insurance. Some have argued the higher prices would provoke lower-level staffers to leave the hill for better opportunities.

“Georgians needs a Senator who understands what it’s like to balance a budget, not one who is more concerned with their salary than the needs and economic challenges faced by most Georgians,” Broun concluded.