What transparency requirement applies to federal employee meal reimbursements over $75?

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Federal employees must submit itemized receipts showing date, vendor, items purchased, and business purpose for any meal reimbursement over $75. The General Services Administration's Federal Travel Regulation requires this documentation to prevent fraud and ensure taxpayer money funds legitimate business expenses. Employees can't just self-certify they spent the money—they must prove it with receipts. This contrasts sharply with Congress, where members claim $79 daily meal allowances ($26.33 per meal) without any receipt requirement. House rules allow self-certification, meaning lawmakers just attest expenses were eligible without documentation. Over 200 members claimed $1.4 million in the first six months of 2023 with zero public receipts. This creates a two-tier accountability system: federal workers face strict documentation requirements for $75+ reimbursements, while their Congressional bosses claim $79 daily with no receipts. The disparity became glaring when Rollins (who benefits from taxpayer-subsidized White House Mess) told Americans to eat for $3 while members like Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed $23,200 annually without documentation.

What transparency requirement applies to federal employee meal reimbursements over $75?

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