Receipts are not required for filing accounts, and members of Congress are spending more generously. In the first five months of this year, there was an increase of more than 120,000 compared with the

After the introduction of the Congressional receipt-free reimbursement plan, members of Congress have been spending more generously in 2024. According to House data, between January and May of 2024, representatives have utilized this plan to spend at least $2.5 million—an increase of over $120,000 compared to the same period last year.

The Washington Post reported on October 10 that the plan, established with bipartisan agreement at the end of 2022, allows representatives to claim expenses for food, lodging, and miscellaneous costs incurred while in Washington D.C. without needing to provide receipts. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on members who frequently travel between their districts and the capital. With a base annual salary of $174,000, statistics indicate that over 20 representatives utilized the program to reimburse at least $30,000 in expenses in 2023.

The report identified the top five spenders using the receipt-free plan in the first five months of 2024. Notably, Republican Jim Baird from Indiana exceeded $22,000, while Democrat Veronica Escobar from Texas and Republican Nancy Mace from South Carolina spent over $16,000. Other prominent spenders included Democrats Nanette Barragan from California and Jack Bergman, a Republican from Michigan.

The reimbursement program is governed by a few key rules, such as not exceeding actual expenditures, not using the funds for mortgage payments, and only allowing claims for days worked in Washington. Misuse of taxpayer money through this plan not only violates House regulations but also breaches federal law.

Mace, one of the top spenders in 2023, faced allegations earlier this year from a former assistant who claimed she filed for reimbursements exceeding her actual expenses. Reports indicate that Mace co-purchased a townhouse in the D.C. area with her former fiancé, holding a 28% stake. From January to May 2024, she claimed $12,181 for lodging, which was about $1,500 less than her claims during the same time frame in 2023.

A spokesperson for Mace stated, “We comply with all reimbursement regulations,” but declined to comment on whether she used the reimbursed funds to pay her mortgage.