House lawmakers collected $6.7 million in taxpayer-funded reimbursements for food, lodging, and incidental expenses in 2025, a 21% increase from the previous year despite rules that do not require members to submit receipts for the claims.

A total of 360 House members filed expense claims last year under a reimbursement program created in 2023 to help lawmakers cover the cost of maintaining residences in both their districts and Washington without increasing their $174,000 annual salary.

The $6.7 million in reimbursements represented a $1.2 million increase from 2024. The number of lawmakers using the program also rose from 355 to 360.

Twenty-six members reported more than $30,000 in expenses, while another 140 lawmakers claimed more than $20,000. The largest reimbursement went to Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., who received $39,789.

Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, R-Ariz., received $39,131, while Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., reported $37,078, including expenses associated with a second Washington residence.

Jackson defended his claims when questioned about his spending, saying he was operating within the program's guidelines.

"I'm within the guidelines. I don't know specifically," Jackson said. "All of my dates correspond to the dates and times that I was here."

The House's Members' Congressional Handbook allows lawmakers to seek reimbursement for meals, incidental expenses, and lodging incurred during official business in Washington. Eligible lodging can include hotels, rentals, and other housing arrangements.

Members are required to submit monthly expense vouchers and certify that they incurred the expenses without receiving reimbursement from another source. Claims cannot exceed the actual expenses incurred or daily limits established by the General Services Administration for Washington.

The rules generally allow reimbursements for days when the House is in session or when members attend official committee meetings or hearings. Lawmakers whose primary residences are within 50 miles of the Capitol generally are not eligible for lodging reimbursements, except under extraordinary circumstances.

The reimbursements are paid through members' office allowances, which also cover official and representational activities. House rules prohibit those funds from being used for personal or campaign expenses, and reimbursements remain subject to applicable tax laws.

The sharp increase in spending is drawing renewed attention to how the program is being used. Kedric Payne, a former deputy chief counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics, said the increase could be connected to higher housing costs, greater participation or potential abuses.

"There should be an evaluation done by the House to see if this is an indication of the program working better or worse," Payne said. "Voters have the right to know that taxpayer dollars are being used in the right way."

The House Ethics Committee is separately reviewing allegations involving Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has been accused of seeking reimbursements exceeding her eligible housing expenses. Mace has denied the accusations.

The committee announced in March that it would conduct further review after receiving a referral from the Office of Congressional Conduct. The panel stressed that the additional review does not establish that Mace violated House rules and said it would not make further public statements while the review is underway.