Yeah, I kind of agree with your semi-sarcastic take. While that salary is well above the US average, the fact is that they almost certainly don't make enough to own or rent a home in DC, and a second home in their constituency. It all but ensures that there can't be an honest member of congress, unless they feel like sleeping in their office.

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ocdtrekkie 10 hours ago | parent [-]

What can Congresscritters expense? I'd assume they need to travel between their home state and DC frequently. Would lodging for work where they do not have a home be expensable somewhere?

Isn't the solution to needing two homes to do the job for the government to provide that as a work expense rather than permitting funky financial hijinks?

	▲	tstrimple 10 hours ago \| parent [-]
		It’s better than it used to be. Since 2023 House members can expense up to $30k / year in travel costs and lodging in DC. Prior to that, they had to eat those costs which were estimated to average around $28k per year based on number of days in session.