Taxpayers footed nearly $7 million last year for meals and housing claimed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, a new report shows.
House Lawmakers Rack Up $7 Million in Taxpayer‑Funded Meals and Lodging
The reimbursement program, created three years ago, lets representatives cover “ordinary and necessary expenses” such as meals and lodging while they serve in Washington or attend committee work. House members earn a base salary of $174,000, unchanged for nearly two decades.
Lawmakers may claim up to the federal daily travel rate—$276 for lodging and $92 for meals and incidentals in 2025—provided they submit monthly vouchers and certify the costs. Those whose primary residence lies within 50 miles of the Capitol are barred from lodging reimbursements except in “extraordinary circumstances,” per the Congressional Handbook.
“We rely on party leaders to police the rules, and I feel very uncomfortable doing that,” Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, told the Washington Post.
Democrats and Republicans together spent $6.7 million on meals and lodging in 2024, a 21 percent increase over the prior year, according to the Washington Post analysis.
The newspaper identified the ten members who claimed the highest reimbursements, eight Republicans and two Democrats:
- Rep. Jim Baird (R‑IN): $39,789
- Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R‑AZ): $39,131
- Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D‑IL): $37,078
- Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑GA): $36,773
- Rep. Neal Dunn (R‑FL): $35,614
- Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R‑FL): $35,477
- Rep. Troy A. Carter (D‑LA): $35,442
- Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R‑PA): $35,146
- Rep. Nick Begich (R‑AK): $35,064
- Rep. Pete Sessions (R‑TX): $34,647
Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D‑Illinois) said, “I’m within the guidelines. I don’t know specifically,” when asked why his expenses exceeded those of most colleagues.
The two top Republican spenders, Rep. Baird and Rep. Hamadeh, declined to comment.
