It’s expensive to operate a U.S. House office.

How expensive?

Over the first three quarters of 2009, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, had spent a total of $921,275.22; U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-2nd—whose district includes Pine and Jackson townships—a total of $822,049.82.

In June Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arranged for the Statement of Disbursements (SOD)—a report of all receipts and expenditures for members of the House published quarterly since 1964—to be posted on line “as part of her continued commitment to increase governmental transparency and accountability,” the SOD webpage states.

Each member receives an annual budget of between $1.3 million to $1.9 million to run his or her House office, with the exception of members in leadership positions. Visclosky chairs the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

“The Committee on House Administration, the oversight committee that determines how the House is run and establishes all of the rules under which lawmakers operate their offices, uses a standard formula to determine these budgets,” the SOD webpage states.

The SOD organizes a member’s expenditures into nine separate categories: Franked Mail; Personnel Compensation; Benefits; Travel; Rent/Communications/Utilities; Printing/Reproduction; Other Services; Supplies/Materials; and Equipment.

Nine-month expenditures for Visclosky and Donnelly:

•Franked mail. Visclosky: $14,070.60. Donnelly: $35,732.73.

•Personnel Compensation: Visclosky: $741,559.48. Donnelly: $619,622.71. Visclosky employs a staff of 22 including a manager of projects and grants, a chief of staff, a district director, a legislative correspondent, and a Congressional relations manager. Donnelly employs a staff of 20 including a chief of staff, a chief investigator, a district scheduler, a senior case manager, and a special assistant. Both employ shared employees.

•Benefits. Visclosky: $1,710.23. Donnelly: $2,541.56.

•Travel. Visclosky: $24,297.35. Donnelly: $42,762.82. Visclosky lists expenditures on travel reimbursement, private vehicle mileage, and commercial transportation; Donnelly, on parking/tolls/taxi, meals, and gasoline.

•Rent/Communications/Utilities. Visclosky: $44,908.65. Donnelly: $47,211.85.

•Printing/Reproduction. Visclosky: $18,833.45. Donnelly: $29,625.85.

•Other Services. Visclosky: $42,615. Donnelly: $28,047.82. Other services include technical service contracts, janitorial, and web development and hosting.

•Supplies/Materials. Visclosky: $30,692.46. Donnelly: $9,681.29.

•Equipment. Visclosky: $3,128. Donnelly: $6,823.19.