Questionable use of representational allowance

Each member of Congress receives a 'Members Representational Allowance” to cover the cost of serving constituents and communicating with folks back home.

Some members spend the bulk of that money on staff, personnel who handle constituents' questions and requests. But members have wide discretion on how the money gets used.

As The Gazette's Erin Jordan reported earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, a Republican who represents Iowa's 1st Congressional District, including Cedar Rapids, decided to spend one-third of that allowance in 2015 on mass-mailings, ads and automated phone calls. The $425,365 he spent on mailings and mass communications was the most spent by any U.S. House member, and is more than the combined spending of Iowa's three other representatives.

Blum's spokesman said the congressman would rather communicate 'directly” with constituents than spend money on airfare, car leases or a 'bloated D.C. staff.” But we can't help but wonder if having more face time with constituents and more staff available to help Eastern Iowans navigate federal issues - as most congressmen and women do - would be preferable to stuffing their mailboxes.

Ads and mailings have their place. We have no problem with representatives sending out a newsletter or postcard informing constituents of town hall meetings or other local events where the member or staff will be appearing, or any other basic communication intended to inform and engage citizens.

But we do have a problem with using a six-figure chunk of money that is intended to be spent on serving constituents to send out election-style mailings touting the congressman's virtues. When we see one mailer reading, 'Congressman Rod Blum: Unwavering leadership. Keeping America safe,” we can't help but wonder if the congressman's mass-mail spending is more about campaigning than communicating.

It's no secret that Blum is serving a district that tends to lean Democratic, making him a large electoral target for Democrats in November. But representational allowances should be spent as a service to citizens, not as a perk of incumbency.

It's time for Congress to strike a blow for fiscal accountability by taking a good hard look at these allowances and how they are being spent.

' Gazette editorials reflect the consensus opinion of The Gazette Editorial Board. Share your comments and ideas with us: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com