Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who cited the federal government's "reckless spending" as a justification for bringing a motion to vacate against then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), led the House in 2023 office spending - thanks, in part, to new reimbursement rules that allowed the congressman to receive more than $40,000 for housing and meals.
Gaetz received $31,000 in reimbursement for lodging and $10,800 for meals in 2023. Per new House rules, members may seek reimbursement for certain housing, meals and other expenses incurred in D.C. while Congress is in session. Reimbursement is paid out of an office's Members' Representational Allowance, the annual budgets that go to paying for staff compensation and other costs of running congressional offices.
Gaetz received another $1,900 in reimbursement for car rentals, parking and taxis/ride shares, bringing his total 2023 reimbursement to nearly $43,800.
Gaetz's office disclosed using 99% of its 2023 MRA. The average personal office disclosed spending 86% during that time. In 2022, Gaetz's office used 90% of its annual budget.
Staff compensation made up the largest proportion of the office's 2023 expenses and cost the office 83% of its total annual budget. The average personal office spent 79% of its budget on paying staff last year.
