House members must submit receipts to claim their $79 daily meal allowance.

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House members don't need to submit receipts for their $79 daily meal allowance—they just self-certify eligible expenses. This means lawmakers claim $26.33 per meal (if spread across three meals) without proving they spent the money on food. Over 200 lawmakers used $1.4 million in the first six months of 2023 with zero public documentation. This contrasts sharply with federal employees, who must submit itemized receipts for any reimbursement over $75. The rule change allowing receipt-free claims passed in the waning weeks of the Democratic-controlled 117th Congress in late 2022. Congressional Research Service documents note this allowance comes from Members' Representational Allowances, giving lawmakers flexibility to spend it however they choose within official duties.

House members must submit receipts to claim their $79 daily meal allowance.

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