Washington, D.C. – For over 40 years, the only way to review spending by Congressional offices was to trudge to a basement office and review paper reports inside three-ring binders.
However, today the U.S. House of Representatives began putting those reports online so citizens can track how members spend their allotted budget each quarter. The reports are available here.
Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick praised the move.
“This step toward more accountability is long overdue,” Minnick said. “I commend House leadership for recognizing that technology allows Members of Congress to be more engaged, more interactive and more open with our constituents.”
More information:
- Citizens can review the spending for each office in the U.S. House of Representatives on a quarterly basis. (House.gov)
- The new online access will be updated each quarter with the spending reports member offices are required to file. (Speaker’s Office)
- Members of Congress are allotted a specific budget amount based on standard formulas. (House Administration Committee)
- There are specific rules and guidelines for salaries and other expenditures by the Congressional offices. (U.S. House Rules)