Reported by Scott MacFarlane/Washington Correspondent/Cox Media GroupJACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Lawmakers are playing musical chairs inside the U.S. Capitol, and it's costing you money.
Hundreds of elected representative are switching office space, which is a regular tradition on The Hill after an election.
The nation is on the brink of an economic crisis, but the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives is empty tonight.
Behind the scenes, the hallways are bustling. Action News has learned about 200 House members are swapping office space.
In some cases, moves have to be made. Cliff Stearns was voted out of office. He's already been booted from his longtime space in the US House Rayburn Building.
Local Congresswoman Corrine Brown is moving for a prettier view of the Capitol.
Another House member wanted a shorter walk to his committee hearings, and some staffers say some want offices with more "stature."
And when lawmakers move, their furniture goes with them, which means a lot of manpower and time spent on these office switches.
The National Taxpayers Union says it will cost taxpayers $600,000 for office moves this month alone.
Lawmakers even stage an elaborate lottery contest to divvy out first choice of office space.
Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci says he's staying put, in part to avoid burning tax dollars.
Florida Congressman Ander Crenshaw isn't moving either. But 200 of his colleagues are spending time and energy this week for a change of scenery.
