IPFS News Link • TAXES: Federal
Taxpayers foot bill for missing items
• PoliticoWith every such request in the past year, Brady has decided to let taxpayer foot the bill. Under House rules, lawmakers are technically responsible for the cost of missing office equipment worth more than $500, whether it’s a laptop or a television that gets stolen or disappears with a former staffer.
Nine rank-and-file House members, two committee chairmen and one House officer have been granted relief from personal liability for missing office equipment, but the Administration Committee would not identify these lawmakers, nor would it make public their official letters of request.
“It’s one of those cynical circumstances where the Congress publicly feigns a higher level of accountability and, when nobody is looking, manages to let themselves off the hook,” said a source familiar with the process.
The only way to get out of writing a personal check: Appeal to Brady.
To get a waiver, the member submits a private request in writing, including a standard police report to show that the item was stolen. The request must also list the other steps the member took to avoid the loss.
1 Comments in Response to Taxpayers foot bill for missing items
Taxpayers footing some bill somewhere, is like, the only reason that taxpayers exist!