House Orders Up Three Elite Jets

[Purveyor]

August 5, 2009
By Paul Singer
Roll Call Staff

Last year, lawmakers excoriated the CEOs of the Big Three automakers for traveling to Washington, D.C., by private jet to attend a hearing about a possible bailout of their companies.

But apparently Congress is not philosophically averse to private air travel: At the end of July, the House approved nearly $200 million for the Air Force to buy three elite Gulfstream jets for ferrying top government officials and Members of Congress.

The Air Force had asked for one Gulfstream 550 jet (price tag: about $65 million) as part of an ongoing upgrade of its passenger air service.

But the House Appropriations Committee, at its own initiative, added to the 2010 Defense appropriations bill another $132 million for two more airplanes and specified that they be assigned to the D.C.-area units that carry Members of Congress, military brass and top government officials.

Because the Appropriations Committee viewed the additional aircraft as an expansion of an existing Defense Department program, it did not treat the money for two more planes as an earmark, and the legislation does not disclose which Member had requested the additional money.

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ROLLCALL: http://www.rollcall.com/media/37552-1.html

[Zen Democrat]

1. Doesn't Homeland Security require top government officials to use government jets now?

Earlier this year, there was an attempt to manufacture a stink over Speaker Pelosi's use of a government jet for traveling to California; however, it came to light that the Department of Homeland Security, after 9/11, established a policy of providing government jets for the use of top government officials, and discourages the use of commercial airliners.

The Republicans were really squawking about Speaker Pelosi taking the government jets on her visits to San Francisco, until they learned that Hastert used a government jet for his travels.

Maybe the new purchases have something to do with this policy?

[BluePup]

2. I have flown in private jets......

.... I have never since flown commercial. I would rather drive. From Grand Rapids, MI.... most of the US is only 1 hour away via a private jet.

So I understand why they wannt one (or 3), but this will not play well with people who are seriously suffering financially.

I am willing to bet she will use the jets, the Repubs won't and it will be a hyped into a campaign issue.

Just my .02 cents.