Every one of the 435 members of the House of Representatives gets between $1.3 million and $1.9 million a year as operating allowance, although Congress is gradually reining in the spending. 

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, has $1,325,000 to work with this year. According to spokeswoman Jennifer Hazelton, that’s 6.4 percent lower than the $1.4 million office budget last year, and the 2011 Members’ Representational Allowance is 5 percent down from 2010.

The amount of an MRA is calculated using standard staffing and operations figures plus a cost factor for other expenses, based on the make-up of the district. Within those parameters, representatives can allocate their budget as they see fit.

A Statement of Disbursements of the House of Representatives, published quarterly, shows how each member is using the money. 

During the first two quarters of 2012 Graves spent a total of $632,715, compared to $569,773 for the same period last year. The approximately 

$60,000 increase is almost equal to the rise in franked mail and printing costs, although the budget shifts were more complex.