House members claimed $6.7 million in taxpayer reimbursements for meals and lodging in Washington, D.C., last year, marking a 21 percent increase from 2024, according to an analysis of congressional spending. The reimbursements are part of a program established three years ago that allows representatives to offset costs associated with maintaining residences in the capital while fulfilling their official duties.
The program enables members to supplement their $174,000 annual base salary, which has remained unchanged for nearly two decades, by expensing eligible food and housing expenses incurred during congressional sessions or committee work in Washington. Unlike the Senate’s similar initiative, introduced in 2025, the House program does not require the submission of receipts; members are only required to certify that expenses were incurred. The absence of documentation has drawn concerns about transparency and oversight.
The exact nature of expenditures remains undisclosed, and numerous members who claimed the highest reimbursements declined to discuss their spending. The top three spenders in 2025 were Rep. Jim Baird (R-Indiana) with $39,789, Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-Arizona) with $39,131, and Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois) with $37,078. Jackson confirmed that some of his reimbursements included mortgage payments on a second residence in Washington and stated that all claims corresponded to his days in the capital.
Experts suggest the rise in spending could be driven by higher housing costs, increased utilization of the program as a vital benefit, or potential misuse. Kedric Payne, a former deputy chief counsel for the Office of Congressional Ethics, emphasized the need for a formal evaluation of the program’s effectiveness and safeguards to ensure proper use of public funds.
The expense program was introduced as an alternative to raising congressional salaries, a politically sensitive measure requiring a floor vote. Reimbursements cover hotel stays, rent, meals, and incidentals—excluding alcohol—subject to federal per diem limits, which in 2025 ranged from $183 to $276 per day for lodging and $92 per day for meals and incidentals. Members living within 50 miles of the Capitol are generally ineligible for lodging expenses.
Critics argue that relying on party leadership to enforce compliance is insufficient. Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, highlighted an ongoing ethics inquiry into Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) over allegations she exceeded allowable charges; Mace has denied wrongdoing. Holman also noted that efforts to raise concerns with House administrators about the program’s lack of transparency went unanswered.
In 2025, 360 House members filed reimbursement claims, with 26 reporting expenses exceeding $30,000 and 140 more than $20,000. Some attributed higher costs to factors such as long-distance travel. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), ninth among the highest spenders with $35,064, cited the extensive travel required from Alaska. His office noted his strong attendance record as justification for the related expense.
In contrast, approximately 60 members did not participate in the program at all, and a subset submitted minimal claims. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Maryland), the lowest spender at $62, said his reimbursements covered occasional meals purchased while working in the Capitol, reflecting his district’s close proximity to Washington, which disqualifies him from lodging claims.
The program’s lack of detailed reporting and receipt requirements continues to fuel debate over accountability and the appropriate use of taxpayer funds.