A report from The Washington Free Beacon shows one of the last actions of the Democrat-majority House of Representatives before Republicans took back the legislative body in 2022 was sneaking in an "Optional $34,000 annual subsidy to pay for their Washington, D.C., housing and meal expenses." Although Democrats quietly tucked in the provision into internal House rules, lawmakers from both parties have utilized this taxpayer-funded subsidy.
The Washington Free Beacon reports: In total, 113 Democrats and 104 Republicans have taken advantage of the program, raking in a combined $1.4 million from taxpayers during the first half of 2023, House disbursement records reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon show.
Recipients of these funds include at least 17 millionaire Democrats, including Rep. Katie Porter, who reported a net worth of up to $1.8 million in her latest financial disclosure, and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, who boasts a net worth of up to $13.5 million.
House Democrats passed the housing subsidy in response to criticism from younger members including Ocasio-Cortez, who have long complained that their $174,000 salary is insufficient to maintain a home in their districts and pay for skyrocketing rent in the nation's capital.
Ocasio-Cortez's fellow members of the "Squad," six of whom voted against a House resolution last week condemning Hamas's terrorist rampage in Israel, can also thank taxpayers for financing their Washington, D.C., living expenses.
"Squad" member Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who was ordered last week to pay a $1,000 fine for intentionally pulling a fire alarm in a House office building in September, has received $6,200 to pay for his rent and meals.
According to the report, Rep. Matt Gaetz has received the "Largest share of funds out of any lawmaker." The Florida Republican has utilized the taxpayer-funded subsidy for nearly $17,000 in the first half of 2023 to pay for his D.C. living expenses.
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