The Litchfield businessman, a Republican is running for the 5th District, says he’ll forgo a government pension if elected — and he’s calling on his opponents to do the same.
“I am running for Congress because we need to bring basic business principles to a Washington establishment loaded with career politicians whose primary agenda is getting re-elected each election cycle,” Greenberg said via email. “Serving in Congress is not about landing a career position and a fat pension. It’s about being the voice of ‘We the people,’ getting a job done on their behalf and then getting out.”
Greenberg also says that, if elected, he won’t obtain his medical insurance through his employer, the federal government. Instead, he pledged to sign on to “the health care plan Congress eventually adopts for all Americans.
“I believe it is an honor and a privilege to serve in Congress,” Greenberg said. “It should not be about monetary benefits and perks. What’s good for the average citizen should be good enough for its elected officials and I’m calling for all of the other candidates to do the same.”
The insurance that members of Congress have access isn’t a government-run plan. Like millions of other federal employees, from a local postal worker to a member of the president’s Cabinet, they are allowed to buy private insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, which offers an array of options, including HMOs and fee-for-service plans. (Members of Congress get a few extra perks other federal workers don’t have, such as access to U.S. military hospitals.)
At least four other Republicans are running for the 5th District seat: Justin Bernier, Sam Caligiuri, Dan Carter and Kie Westby. The winner of the GOP contest will face Democrat U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy.