Members of Congress can now get reimbursed for housing, meals and utilities in DC.
(Reminds me of that song ... Money for nothing and Chinese spy chicks for free ... something like that.)
You may find it shocking to hear that members of Congress can now get reimbursements for housing, meals and utilities, but that’s what is happening now.
This change was set in motion before Republicans took back Congress and it seems their $174,000 salary just isn’t enough to live in DC.
Jeffries claims it’s not a pay raise but that’s exactly what it sounds like to me. After all rent on average in DC is said to be $2,300 per month and that alone is over $27,000 per year. Now I don’t think they can get reimbursed for all of it, but even if they just got half of it that’s a $13,000 increase. And then add on meals and utilities???
Here’s more on the change from earlier this month:
New guidelines for Congress were finalized this week that will reimburse lawmakers for substantial portions of their rent, food and other expenses they incur while in Washington, DC, effectively giving members a pay hike.
It’s an issue that members have complained about for years, many have said their $174,000 salary, while well above the U.S. median, isn’t enough to afford housing in DC and in their home district. It’s forced many to share apartments together and even sleep in their offices.
Fox News Digital obtained a memo sent to House members on Friday morning detailing the rollout of the reimbursement policy, which seeks to clarify a change that had been agreed upon during the last Congress, before Republicans took control of the House.
Under the guidelines, lawmakers will be able to apply for cost reimbursements dated back to January 3, the beginning of the 118th session.
Members will be able to get cash back for rent, hotel fees, food and travel for days that qualify as “official business”, when Congress is in session or days designated for lawmakers’ relevant committee work. Days when members are traveling in and out of Washington are covered up to 75%.
Participation in the reimbursement plan is optional, but members who use it will see those disclosures become public record.
Meals and incidentals are capped at a daily maximum total of $79, which is in line with current regulations for federal employees by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
The GSA’s current rates also extend to how much of lawmakers’ lodging can be covered. The daily figure fluctuates. It was $188 per day in January and will be $258 per day in June, according to the document obtained by Fox News Digital. But members can be reimbursed for the daily amount only on days of “official business.” For example, lawmakers would be able to get $1,880 back for 10 in-session days in January.
Factors used by the GSA to calculate the fluctuating rate include seasonality and property-selection criteria to align lodging rates with mid-range hotels, among other variables.
Rent on apartments, utility costs, as well as condo and HOA fees are all eligible uses for reimbursement. However, lawmakers who own property in the Washington, DC, area will not be able to get their mortgage payments paid back, the policy indicates. Members whose homes are within 50 miles of the Capitol will also be ineligible.
The update does not authorize any new spending but will rather use House lawmakers’ own Member’s Representational Allowance for the costs.
I’m not even going to bother doing the math on this from the article but I can assure it will add up to a lot of money. And you know that both sides will take advantage of the new rules, they’d be a fool not to.
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