House lawmakers are utilizing a little-known perk that allows them to expense certain hotel and meal costs incurred during official business in Washington, D.C., a practice that has seen a significant increase in claims. This comes as members of the House have not received a pay raise in nearly two decades, with their annual salary remaining at $174,000 since 2009.
Since 2023, House representatives have been able to seek reimbursement for specified expenses without needing to submit receipts. Instead, they must certify that the expenses were legitimately incurred for official duties and that they have not been reimbursed elsewhere. These reimbursements are capped by the federal per diem limit, which was $178 per day as of fiscal year 2025, and are subject to other House rules.
In fiscal year 2025, 360 out of 435 House members filed for these reimbursements, collectively claiming approximately $6.7 million in taxpayer funds. This represents a 21% increase compared to 2024.
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) claimed the highest amount among representatives, totaling $79,914.32 for lodging and meals. Within the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut delegations, 37 lawmakers sought $672,000 in combined housing and food reimbursements in fiscal year 2025. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) led this group, with 44 reimbursement requests totaling $30,480.71. A spokesperson for Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who claimed $20,433 in reimbursements, stated that her figure likely included tolls and gas for travel between New Jersey and D.C., as well as lodging, and noted that she does not seek reimbursement for meals.
This reimbursement program aims to address the challenge faced by lawmakers who maintain residences in their home districts while spending significant time in the nation's capital. Washington D.C. has seen rising housing costs, with average apartment rents around $2,300 to $2,500 per month. Some members have previously opted for cost-saving measures, such as sleeping in their Capitol Hill offices to avoid high rental expenses.
Parallel to these expense claims, a group of former and current lawmakers has filed a lawsuit challenging the ongoing freeze on congressional cost-of-living adjustments. They argue that repeatedly blocking these adjustments violates the 27th Amendment, which stipulates that changes to congressional pay cannot take effect until after the subsequent congressional election. A federal judge allowed most of this lawsuit to proceed in May, indicating that the 27th Amendment could apply to laws that affect congressional compensation disclosure. The outcome of this legal challenge remains pending.
