(2005-04-11) — Accusations of an influence-peddling relationship between Rep. Tom DeLay, R-TX, and lobbyist Jack Abramoff have naturally turned the spotlight on the perennial crisis of low Congressional salaries.

“It wouldn’t be so easy for lobbyists to wield influence if Senators and Representatives earned a livable wage,” said a source who requested anonymity because it was Monday. “As it stands, a legislator’s survival-salary is an invitation to would be tempters looking to sway legislation.”

The salary crisis in Congress, experts say, is caused by the disparity between the huge amounts of taxpayer money legislators get to allocate and the meager six-figure paychecks they take home.

“There are two ways to eliminate the lobbyist temptation,” said the unnamed source. “You can either increase Congressional pay and make it a fixed percentage of the national debt, or stop passing money through Congress for programs delivered on the state and local level.”

A bill to do the former has already been drafted by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and received a favorable reception from several members of Congress during a recent all-expenses-paid junket to St. Andrew’s golf course in Scotland.

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