List of Congress Members with Cars leased at Taypayers Expense

M Live ^ | 3/13/06 | Mikey_1962

[cowboyway]

What! No hybrids?

[GreenAccord]

Parsing the data:

Democrats Total Lease Value: $502,457
Democrat Average Lease Value: $7,851

Republican Total Lease Value: $550,430
Republican Average Lease Value: $7,645

[Doohickey]

I'm relieved to see my Congressman (Eric Cantor) is not on the list.

Another observation is that certain Democrats tend to favor the phat rides: Cadillacs, Lincolns, Infinitis.

And what's with RAT from NC that's got three rides?

[Doohickey]

Some of the Escapes on the list might be hybrids.

[Moonman62]

Considering that they have to maintain two homes, a leased car in Washington isn't out of line.

Now, which environmentalists are driving evil SUV's?

[Blueflag]

He just wanted to reinforce negative stereotypes ;-)

Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y.: Cadillac DeVille, $11,981.76

[elli1]

Each Congress Critter gets a budget amount from Congress to run his or her office. The lease car is paid for out of the office budget.

Make that 'lease cars'.

Mike Ross, D-Ark.: Ford 500; Ford Crown Victoria; Ford Expedition, $36,343.44

[harpu]

"...they have to maintain two homes"

Wow, there's a law that makes these critters 'maintain' two homes if they're in congress?

[nh1]

I didn't see any from NH!

[elli1]

Considering that they have to maintain two homes, a leased car in Washington isn't out of line.

Didn't Dick Armey used to drive his personal old beater around Washington?

[OKIEDOC]

Wheres the link to this specific story?

[Paleo Conservative]

Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas: Lincoln Navigator, $9,081.26

I used to live on the edge of her district back when Mickey Leland represented it.

[txroadhawg]

Don't see Ron Paul on there
Or Ted Poe

[PhiKapMom]

Here in OK we have at least one State Rep leasing two cars from his campaign account -- one for him and one for his wife year around. Also gets paid mileage to the Capitol during session.

Been Cong Istook leases cars through his campaign as well.

Before donating to a candidate for local office, might want to ask them if your contribution is going to help fund their family cars. Needless to say my state rep is not getting any more contributions from me!

Since the Congressional cars are funded from their account for their offices, not much can be said IMHO.

[commish]

THis is a tempest in a tea pot. Each Congressman is given a budget to operate thier offices. They are allowed to lease vehicles out of this budget. Some choose to lease vehicles, others choose not to. That simple.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Gotta have the big sub-woofer - would be a waste otherwise.

[lula]

Since the Congressional cars are funded from their account for their offices, not much can be said IMHO

I would like to know what the total amount all these "Public Servants" make, to include all perks.

I'll be willing to bet they are so financially ahead of their constituents that they are out of touch with them/us.

And they say Bush is out of touch....sickening.

[mysterio]

I'm sure if all the perks that our ruling class enjoyed were laid out on the table, we would no longer be stupid enough to vote for any of them.

Except maybe Ron Paul.

[perez24]

Good to see my representative (Roscoe Bartlett R-MD) is paying his own way.

[grellis]

The salary of a member of the legislature would be adequate to maintain two homes if said member lived within his means. Since the DC home would be, primarily, a place to sleep and eat while in town on business, it should be spartan and uber-affordable, not a showplace.

Besides, doesn't DC have a great public transprotation system? Instead of paying for leases, we could save a lot of money by buying them annual rail or bus passes.

Some of us do that out here in the real world, after all.