Cost of running Congress hits $1.3 billion this year

The cost of operating Congress reached $1.3 billion in the fiscal year just ending, the private Tax Foundation Inc. reports. Running the Senate cost $242 million, almost 10 times to $25.2 million it cost 20 years ago. Congressional staffs have undergone massive expansion in recent years, accounting for some of the increase. Another $323 million was spent on the House of Representatives, $ 61 million on joint activities of the two chambers, and $702 million on such support activities as the Library of Congress, the General Accounting Office, and the Architect of the Capitol.