What Do Members Of Congress Spend Their Money On?

[NateRiver]

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Last month the Brits were in a tizzy over how members of Parliament
spent their allowances. Most U.S. Congressional allowances went for salaries but not ALL.

[Chris]

Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings spent $24,730 in taxpayer money last year to lease a 2008 luxury Lexus hybrid sedan. Ohio Rep. Michael Turner expensed a $1,435 digital camera. Eni Faleomavaega, the House delegate from American Samoa, bought two 46-inch Sony TVs.

(...) Rep. Howard Berman expensed $84,000 worth of personalized calendars, printed by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, for his constituents. A spokeswoman for Mr. Berman, a California Democrat, didn't return requests for comment.

House members get a government expense allowance of $1.3 million to $1.9 million a year. Senators get $2.9 million to $4.5 million. The disparity is based on several factors, with lawmakers whose home states are far from Washington, for example, typically receiving more to cover their higher travel expenses.

If lawmakers don't seek reimbursement for all of their allowance money for the year, the remainder doesn't roll over to the next year, but stays with the Treasury. The review showed that the increased year-end spending went not only toward equipment but also to fund year-end "bonuses" to aides.

Wish I could get a gummint-paid expense account.

[Chris_]

Wish I could get a gummint-paid expense account.

No you don't.

For folks like you and me - who's last names aren't Clinton, Kennedy, Bush etc... - thos expense accounts come with too damned many strings.

[rich_t]

No you don't.

For folks like you and me - who's last names aren't Clinton, Kennedy, Bush etc... - thos expense accounts come with too damned many strings.

Ain't that the damn truth.