Why can sitting senators virtually abandon their "day jobs" to run for President for more than a year? I assume they're getting paid normal salaries during this time. Why aren't you responsible for being in your office, or being on the Senate floor for debates or votes. Where is the obligation to represent your constituents?

Why can sitting senators virtually abandon their "day jobs" to run for President for more than a year? I assume they're getting paid normal salaries during this time. Why aren't you responsible for being in your office, or being on the Senate floor for debates or votes. Where is the obligation to represent your constituents?
Asked by: Beth Wiley from Sterling, VA

Asked of All U.S. Congress on May 3rd, 2008

Categories: Campaign 2008. Tags: abandon constituents · campaign · job · senator.

Answer from: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Well, the current law does allow sitting Senators to run for another political office- namely President. In my state, in many instances if you decide to run for another office you have to quit your current office. So Congress could change the law, I presume, to allow that. We’d have to have some constitutional scholars tell us if whether constitutionally that’s enforceable or not. But I would say it’s not altogether a decision to do one thing or another, because we have many Senators- I saw Senator Clinton, Senator Obama here today, Senator McCain’s been back frequently on key votes where their votes make a difference to come back and make sure they do that. And of course their staffs continue to work with constituents and the like. But I think it would require an act of Congress to change- that would be my belief.

Answered on May 21st, 2008