Flickr photo / TW Collins
Back in May, we raised our eyebrows at a New York Times story that reported taxpayers are footing the bill for the vehicles driven by hundreds of members of Congress.
Today, we’re raising our eyebrows a little more after discovering how members of Congress use the $1.3 million to $1.63 million they get each year to run their offices – the swanky name for this money is a “Member’s Representational Allowance.”
The findings aren’t exactly making lawmakers appear thrifty.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) spent $11,224 for four Sony Bravia 46-inch, high-definition LCD TVs for his Chicago-area offices. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) shelled out $1,864.18 for a barbecue with colleagues at Red, Hot & Blue, and almost as much ($1,425) for Chinese food from Meiwah. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) purchased “tropical interior plants” for $190.
