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Caught Our Eye

Representatives' personal offices pay out big to federal government, data shows

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Oct. 4, 2022

Of the funds that the House's personal offices pay to outside vendors, millions go to the federal government each year, according to a LegiStorm review.

In the first half of this year, member offices disclosed over $52.6 million in expenses to outside vendors. Federal government agencies received more than $8.4 million, or 16 percent.

Of that, the U.S. Postal Service received over $7.6 million for members' franked mailings to constituents. The U.S. General Services Administration made nearly $600,000, mainly for renting out federal buildings for congressional district offices. The Department of Homeland Security, Government Publishing Office and Architect of the Capitol also received payments from member offices.

Personal-office spending directed to other areas of the federal government has consistently grown each election year since at least 2016, when LegiStorm's complete data on vendor expenses begins.