Does America have a politicians expense system like the UK does?

[JAStewart]

Most of you are probably aware of the MP's expense system scandal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Parliamentary_expenses_scandal) which happened in May through the Summer of this year.

Does America have a similar system? Do Senators and HoR's have two houses?

[WildCat]

Most of you are probably aware of the MP's expense system scandal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Parliamentary_expenses_scandal) which happened in May through the Summer of this year.

Does America have a similar system? Do Senators and HoR's have two houses?
Most, if not all, have an apartment in DC. Hard to commute there every day from California after all.

They do get an expense account, not sure how much it is.

[JAStewart]

I worked with an MP over this summer and so I was right in the thick of it. Its always interesting to get their take on it, especially since he was pretty much innocent of all the crap that went around.

[Hutch]

Well, the next pay is $174,000 per year, but they also get some extra privleges....

* Representatives' staff allowances can be used to hire up to 18 permanent and four non-permanent aides divided between the members' Washington and district offices. Up to $75,000 of a representative's staff funds can be transferred to his or her official expense account for use in other categories, such as computer and related services. The maximum salary allowed House personal staffers in 2005 was $156,848 (2001: $140,451).

* Senators' personal staff allowances vary with the size of the members' states. Senators may hire as many aides as they wish within their allowance; typically this ranges between 26 and 60, depending on the size of the state and the salary levels offered to the staffers.
o The maximum salary allowed to Senate personal staffers in 2003 was $150,159 (1999: $132,159); for Senate legislative staffers the maximum salary in 2005 was $153,599.

Expense Allowances for members, kept separate from personal staff allowances, cover domestic travel, stationery, newsletters, overseas postage, telephone and telegraph service, and other expenses in Washington and in the members' state or congressional districts.

The Franking Privilege, a valuable perquisite, allows a member to mail official letters and packages under the members' signature without charges for postage. (See Congressional Deskbook, Section 5.50, "Franking Privilege")

Foreign Travel by members for the conduct of government business is financed through special allowances. These funds can come from various sources.

Members may travel on military aircraft, including cargo planes, at no charge.

And of course with Lobbyists abounding, a Congresscritter never has to pickup a dinner check.

So they do alright.