 As a senator , Nixon received an annual salary of $ 12 @,@ 500 ( about $ 150 @,@ 000 in 2009 dollars ) . While he received an expense allowance of over $ 75 @,@ 000 , an amount larger than that of most senators since California was one of the most populous states , the money went to pay his staff of 12 and to cover the cost of stationery , telephone service , telegrams , and other office expenses . It also paid for the one set of round @-@ trip airline tickets between Washington , D.C. , and California that Nixon was allowed to buy for himself and his family at taxpayer expense each Congressional session . 
