Republicans in congress have proposed and passed cuts to food stamps, pension benefits for federal workers, health care and social services programs like Meals on Wheels for the elderly.

Finally though, on Friday before heading off on a weeklong vacation Congressional Republicans said enough to their own austerity.So after two years of cuts they have drawn a line on some cuts just too deep and maybe too close to home. Republicans in the House sponsored a move to spare congressional office expense accounts from budget cuts.  

Republicans controlling the House have been trying to cut domestic agency budgets by about 5 percent. But when it came to their own staff, travel and office expenses, GOP leaders opted to freeze their $574 million budget after two years of cuts.

The funding bill includes a 1 percent cut that comes chiefly from cutting back on repairs to the iconic Capitol dome, which dates to the Civil War.

The vote was 307-102 with 96 Democrats voting with 211 Republicans to pass the bill.

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch voted nay. On average congressional office budget is $1.4 million and salaries account for 70 percent of the cost.