To provide a per diem allowance for Members of Congress for the costs of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred because of travel to and from the Washington Metropolitan Area in order to cast votes in Congress, and for other purposes.
This bill proposes a new per diem allowance for Members of Congress to cover costs associated with official travel to the Washington Metropolitan Area for the purpose of casting votes. The allowance specifically targets expenses for lodging , meals , and incidental expenses incurred by Members traveling from their designated residence outside the metropolitan area. This measure is intended to support Members in fulfilling their legislative duties by offsetting travel-related costs. Eligibility for the per diem is contingent upon several factors. Members are not entitled to the allowance if their designated residence is within the Washington Metropolitan Area, or if the expenses are already covered by their existing Members' Representational Allowance or Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account. For lodging, a Member must record an in-person vote on every vote held on a given day to qualify for that day's allowance. The per diem for meals and incidental expenses can be claimed for days when lodging per diem is received, as well as the day before or after, provided the Member is traveling to or from the Washington Metropolitan Area on those respective days. The amount of the allowance will be determined by the General Services Administration (GSA) rates applicable to federal employees. Regulations for implementing this section will be established by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Rules and Administration, with a directive to ensure the allowances are not treated as taxable income for Members, superseding any conflicting existing regulations.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Congress
To provide a per diem allowance for Members of Congress for the costs of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred because of travel to and from the Washington Metropolitan Area in order to cast votes in Congress, and for other purposes.
USA119th CongressHR-2519| House
| Updated: 3/31/2025
This bill proposes a new per diem allowance for Members of Congress to cover costs associated with official travel to the Washington Metropolitan Area for the purpose of casting votes. The allowance specifically targets expenses for lodging , meals , and incidental expenses incurred by Members traveling from their designated residence outside the metropolitan area. This measure is intended to support Members in fulfilling their legislative duties by offsetting travel-related costs. Eligibility for the per diem is contingent upon several factors. Members are not entitled to the allowance if their designated residence is within the Washington Metropolitan Area, or if the expenses are already covered by their existing Members' Representational Allowance or Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account. For lodging, a Member must record an in-person vote on every vote held on a given day to qualify for that day's allowance. The per diem for meals and incidental expenses can be claimed for days when lodging per diem is received, as well as the day before or after, provided the Member is traveling to or from the Washington Metropolitan Area on those respective days. The amount of the allowance will be determined by the General Services Administration (GSA) rates applicable to federal employees. Regulations for implementing this section will be established by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Rules and Administration, with a directive to ensure the allowances are not treated as taxable income for Members, superseding any conflicting existing regulations.