House Administration Committee officials are reminding lawmakers to use the right checkbook when paying expenses from annual party retreats. [IMGCAP(1)]

“Members and staff may not seek reimbursement from the Members’ Representational Allowance for any expense related to these retreats, including travel to and from these events,” House Administration Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) wrote in a Jan. 8 “Dear Colleague” letter.

The Federal Election Commission, however, allows lawmakers to use campaign funds for retreat-related expenses.

The Republican Conference retreat is scheduled for Jan. 29-31 in Philadelphia, and the Democratic Caucus retreat will be held Feb. 5-7 in Hot Springs, Va.

Behind Bars. A man who brandished a hand grenade at Union Station last June will serve 24 months in prison and three years of probation.

U.S. District Judge James Robertson issued the sentence last month after Juann Tubbs, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false threat in an attempt to intimidate an individual or destroy property by means of fire or an explosive, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During the June incident, Tubbs unsuccessfully attempted to rob a Union Station business with the hand grenade before being noticed by security guards.

Amtrak Police officer Rodney Chambers and Capitol Police officer Mike DeCarlo arrested Tubbs following a struggle in which the suspect pulled the pin from the grenade in an apparent attempt to detonate it.

Testing by Capitol Police later showed neither of the two grenades in Tubbs possession was live munitions.

— Jennifer Yachnin