Idaho’s congressional delegation is split on bills that would give lawmakers significantly more money to run their offices.

But in the nothing-is-as-it-seems world of Congress, the congressional
office budgets aren't standalone items. They are stuffed in with other budgets, which conveniently complicates the issue. Just one more reason we can all be frustrated with the ways of Congress.

To simplify things, here's a condensed version.

• On June 19, the House approved a bill that would give the 435 lawmakers $660 million to run their offices, a $51 million increase. Republican Rep. Mike Simpson voted yes. Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick voted no.

• The Senate will consider a bill that would give the 100 senators $425 million for office expenses, a $25 million increase. Republican Sen. Mike Crapo supports the bill. Sen. Jim Risch said he will oppose it.

This summary doesn't tell the whole story, though.

According to Simpson, the House office budget is a flawed piece of a $3.7 billion spending plan that covers the Library of Congress, the Government Accounting Office, which is Capitol Hill's auditing arm. The bill also funds the Capitol Police Force. Said Simpson: "(This) is the first line of defense against terrorism for one of the world's highest profile targets — the U.S. Capitol complex — and for all who visit the Capitol."

Crapo says the majority of the $25 million Senate increases will cover inflation and security upgrades, both on Capitol Hill and Senate field offices.

I can understand the case for security; as Crapo says, the Senate upgrades have been in the works since 9/11. Perhaps, because they've been in Congress longer, Crapo and Simpson are taking a longer view of the budget situation. That's a lot more fair than accusing the two of them of coming down with a case of Potomac fever, which I don't think is deserved. For his part, Simpson says he has turned back more than $400,000 in office expenses in 10 years, and Crapo says he has left staff jobs open or delayed hires.

But the thing is, increasing the office budget — for inflation or any reason — sends a terrible message. Not only is it out of step with the private sector. It's even out of step with the rest of the public sector. Just ask Boise City Hall or the state Department of Health and Welfare, or any other agency that has been forced to cut staff jobs.

The Idaho congressional offices all report brisk or increased casework — thanks to the recession, and the cumbersome task of helping agencies and grant applicants sort through the $787 billion economic stimulus law.

But I’m just not buying the notion that the staffs really need more money to handle this caseload. Neither does Simpson, who says he intends to give back the increase. “My staff and I are fully prepared to meet these increased demands without additional office funding.”

Same for Minnick. "(He) feels as though congressional offices cannot be immune from budget realities," spokesman John Foster said.

Unfortunately, this looks like it’s going to be up to individual lawmakers. If they want to do the right thing and hold the line, they’ll have to do it on the honor system. That’s not too promising.

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