House lawmakers will soon be eligible to submit workplace expenses for reimbursement thanks to a new financial framework being adopted by the lower chamber in the coming weeks.
Under the new House rules, lawmakers will be able to submit expense reports to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses that are directly related to their jobs, according to the framework obtained by Politico. The new rules are set to be released on Friday, marking one of the biggest changes to Congress’s financial operations in decades.
HOUSE GOP ANNOUNCES SECOND AFGHANISTAN HEARING AMID PUSHBACK ON WHITE HOUSE REPORT
Lawmakers can request reimbursement for meals and lodging expenses, with the money coming out of the existing Members’ Representational Allowance. That budget is set up for each member of Congress to allow them to conduct their duties, meaning lawmakers will need to weigh their personal spending against other needs in the office.
House members can opt out of reimbursement to prioritize other expenses, such as staff salaries, according to the rules. All expense payments will be released to the public each quarter to ensure transparency and a checks system to ensure lawmakers do not misuse taxpayer money.
For lodging expenses, lawmakers can submit reimbursement requests for hotel stays, as well as rents and utilities connected to properties located in Washington, D.C. Those expenses would be capped at a daily rate between $172 and $258 and will be tied to the House schedule, according to the rules. That means lawmakers can’t expense days that the House is in recess, even if they’re working.
Lawmakers will be ineligible for housing reimbursements if they own a Washington property or if their primary residence is located within 50 miles of the Capitol.
Purchases of alcoholic beverages or entertainment will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Lawmakers will be able to submit their reimbursement requests through a system “that does not require the submission of receipts” as a way to reduce burdens and avoid security risks, the outlet reported. The reimbursement rules would apply to lawmakers’ expenses in both Washington and their home districts.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The rule changes come as lawmakers have declined to raise their own salaries since the Great Recession in 2008, voting against cost-of-living increases each year as a way to avoid political backlash. However, the reimbursement request addresses concerns from lawmakers who say out-of-pocket expenses can be incredibly burdensome.
The proposed rule changes were initially drafted in the last Congress, when Democrats controlled the House, and the final draft was approved with unanimous support earlier this week — marking a rare moment of bipartisanship under the GOP’s narrow majority.