Your tax dollars at work … and play.
House lawmakers have spent $1.4 million in federal money subsidizing their lodging and dining in Washington, DC — with several millionaire members among those bilking Americans for the funds.
A Democrat-led provision introduced to the House rules handbook in the 117th Congress provides members with $34,000 annually to pay for rentals, hotel stays and meals while going about their official duties in the nation’s capital, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
A total of 217 lawmakers — 113 Democrats and 104 Republicans — have taken advantage of the subsidies in the first half of this year, Housedisbursement records reviewed by the outlet show.
Rather than produce receipts, the members only have to list their “eligible expenses” on lodging, meals and incidentals related to official travel and duties, the handbook states.
House lawmakers have spent $1.4 million in taxpayer dollars to subsidize their lodging and dining in Washington, DC, according to a new report. AP
A Democrat-led provision introduced to the House rules handbook in the 117th Congress gives members $34,000 annually to pay for rentals, hotel stays and meals. ReutersThe rules change was described as a “tax-free $34,000 pay bump” by the New York Times, which first calculated the reimbursement figure for members in January.
According to the outlet, Democrats on the House Administration Committee introduced the change but the need for supplemental funding was first brought up by former Mississippi GOP Rep. Gregg Harper.
Neither immediately responded to The Post’s requests for comment.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who cited reckless federal spending as a primary reason he led the effort to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October, spent the most of any lawmaker. APRep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who cited reckless federal spending as a primary reason he led the effort to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October, spent the most of any lawmaker.
The Florida Republican took around $23,000 for his living expenses and meals between January and May, with his wife Ginger sharing sumptuous images raving on social media out the “perks of having a chef husband.”
“I’ve complied with the law, and my cooking is often with discount BOGO products. I try to do the best in the kitchen from the BOGO life,” Gaetz told The Post in a statement, referencing buy-one-get-one-free products.
“Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has complained on her Instagram account that her $174,000 annual congressional salary is barely enough to cover living expenses. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images“During my time in Congress, I’ve returned over $860,000 to taxpayers from the Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA).”
Far-left “Squad” Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) have also gotten in on the action.
Ocasio-Cortez has complained on her Instagram account that her $174,000 annual congressional salary is barely enough to cover living expenses.
House lawmakers may expense up to $258 per day in lodging and $79 per day in meals when Congress is in session as part of the subsidy. AP“It’s insanely expensive, there is no stipend or per diem for it, and you’re not allowed to write it off even though your job forces you to have it. This creates real class dynamics in the House,” she said in a post last year.
“Many sleep in their offices, but if you are caught, it could get bad for many reasons, including violations.”
The democratic socialist congresswoman used $8,700 to pay for lodging and meals during the first half of 2023, while living at a luxury apartment complex in DC.
Meanwhile, Omar took $14,000 for lodging and meals; Tlaib took $6,800 to cover the same expenses; and Bowman took $6,200.
None of the lawmakers responded to The Post’s requests for comment.
House lawmakers may expense up to $258 per day in lodging and $79 per day in meals when Congress is in session as part of the subsidy, a rate determined by the General Services Administration.






