Chuck Fleischmann returning funds to U.S. Treasury

Representative Chuck Fleischmann

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann on Monday said he would return nearly $80,000 in unused office funds to the U.S. Treasury, capitalizing on a campaign promise to cut federal spending.

"I challenge other members of Congress to do this because it's the right thing to do," Fleischmann said during a lunchtime speech at the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club. "It's the people's money."

Fleischmann promoted the occasion as a practice-what-I-preach moment, encouraging media coverage and flashing a massive $79,693.90 mock check as he made the announcement. The money represents 5 percent of Fleischmann's annual office budget, which is about $1.4 million.

Still, Fleischmann didn't cut everything. Several of the rookie Republican congressman's top staffers received pay increases last year, records show.

Fourth-quarter pay for chief of staff Chip Saltsman and senior policy adviser Helen Hardin jumped about $3,000 from what they earned at the beginning of 2011, according to Legistorm, a research organization that monitors congressional spending.

Legislative director James "Jim" Hippe received a $5,000 raise at the end of the year, records show, and others received smaller bumps.

Fleischmann's office declined comment on the raises. Along with salaries, congressional budgets cover rent, postage, computer equipment and other office expenses.

Parting with leftover money is fairly common. In early February, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky returned $500,000 -- 15 percent of his budget -- to the Treasury, according to Politico.

At the Pachyderm Club's lunch at local GOP headquarters, Fleischmann said he loves his job, but described Washington as "that crazy city on the hill." He never mentioned his 3rd Congressional District GOP primary opponents, despite their recent attempts to drum up publicity with new staff hires and fundraisers.

"I don't think we have to fight our opponents," said Lois Killebrew, a longtime donor to Fleischmann who attended Monday's speech. "Just look and tell all of us what your goals are as a congressman. I think that's what Chuck did today."

Bonnie Brezina, campaign manager for Weston Wamp, the 24-year-old son of former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp who's running against Fleischmann in the GOP primary, attended part of Fleischmann's speech, but she declined comment.

Since winning the congressional seat in November 2010, Fleischmann has raised more than $700,000 to run for a second term, but the younger Wamp hauled in more than $300,000 between October and December -- his first three months in the race.

Chattanooga real estate investor Ron Ron Bhalla, Chattanoooga political science professor Jean Howard-Hill, Athens dairy executive Scottie Mayfield and Wamp are Fleischmann's GOP primary opponents, while Maynardville, Tenn., physician Mary Headrick and Chattanooga health care businessman Bill Taylor are fighting to be the Democratic nominee.

The primary is Aug. 2.

Contact staff writer Chris Carroll at ccarroll@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6610.