2 Investigates: Lawmakers cap raises to military, give bonuses to staffers

ATLANTA —

A Channel 2 Action News investigation found Georgia congressmen helped set limits on raises for the military, while giving their own staffers huge bonuses.

U.S. Marine Romero Cruz has four children. He knows hard work from his 17 years in the military, which included 12-hour work days and seven-month deployments. He also knows it's sometimes hard to pay the bills.

"But it's a lifestyle that I chose and my family understands that," Cruz said.

Pay for military members has been stagnant for years. Congress recently voted to cap any increases to 1 percent. That's below inflation.

Channel 2 Action News has learned the same month that decision was made, legislators on Capitol Hill, including many from Georgia, handed out much larger bonuses to their own staffers.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/2-investigates-lawmakers-cap-raises-military-give-/nmHWY/