Congress agrees

Way back last December, I wrote about corporate jets where I made the case that they are valuable and justifiable business tools despite Congress being in an uproar given the pending auto industry bailout. Many of you agreed with Congress that such flight privileges were outrageous- especially on the taxpayer's dime. It seems that Congress has had a change of opinion and thinks private flights are just fine, especially when paid for by the taxpayer.

Friday's WSJ had a page one article titled Congress Gets an Upgrade detailing the logic behind a $550 million request for eight new planes to accommodate Congress' travel. Interestingly, the request from the Air Force, which operates the planes for Congress, only requested two planes, a Gulfstream V and a 737. Congressional reasons for the request include "Congress's normal oversight responsibility to make sure the troops have everything they need." I kid you not. Also according to the article, these planes are configured as "offices in the sky" complete with first-class leather seats, worktables, two large galleys and a "distinguished visitor compartment with sleep accomodations". Before I forget, note that Congressional spouses travel free along with the representative. Last year House members spent 3,000 days overseas compared to 550 in 1995.

So, on one hand Congress blasts private use of corporate jets as extravagant; yet on the other hand they have no trouble spending taxpayer money on their own extravagance. The hypocrisy burns doesn't it?