By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – New rules in Congress aim to prevent any member from engaging in the sort of questionable spending which led to Aaron Schock’s resignation.
Written approval will be now be needed if members of Congress want to use their official allowances to fly on private or charter planes from Washington, D.C., or to spend more than $5,000 furnishing their offices.
Schock had spent $40,000 redecorating his office, which he later repaid along with $88,000 in mileage reimbursements.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), who co-chaired the task force which reviewed the rules on office spending, said this effort wasn’t all about what happened in Schock’s office.
“This review group was put together not because of the actions of any members or former members. This isn’t just about one person,” Davis said. “This is about making sure the House is more accountable to the taxpayers and ensuring that members of Congress and their staff know what the rules are that are already in place, and then find areas where we make some improvement.”
Davis said the most important change is how congressional spending will be disclosed. The panel recommends making all disbursements available in searchable, sortable format online.
