Friday, May 14, 2010

Congress Reins In Its Perks for Travel

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703950804575242751142413016.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

Ask yourself what is the purpose of Nancy going to Afghanistan?
What was the purpose of her and so many others going to Copenhagen?
Why is the Senate allowed to utilize Air Force 2 at all?
The costs for it are outrageous and yet Nancy leaves it on the table for abuse.
The UK audited their MP's and sorely didn't like what they found.
I believe the Senate and the House are due for the same type of audit.
Because lets face it
"WE" can't afford these spoiled children anymore.
And NO WHERE is there a law that says "WE" have to


House leaders are revamping the rules for lawmakers and aides who travel overseas on official government business, forbidding them to fly in business class on shorter trips, use taxpayer funds to buy gifts or pocket unspent cash, among other changes.

The new travel rules, proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, also strengthen accountability and oversight for taxpayer-funded trips. But the rules don't require lawmakers to disclose some of the biggest costs of such trips, including travel by military plane, which can double or triple the total costs.

Nancy Pelosi in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 9.
.The changes are the first significant made to the House's travel rules in more than 30 years. They come after The Wall Street Journal published a series of articles documenting the perks of congressional travel and uncovering abuses by lawmakers of both parties, including the use of taxpayer money for alcohol, sight-seeing and other personal expenses on official overseas trips.

The new travel rules come at a time when lawmakers are seeking to respond to growing anti-Washington sentiment and rising concern among voters over government spending and perks ahead of mid-term elections later this year.