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Bill would force members of Congress to fly coach
WATE.com ^ | May 15, 2014

Posted on 05/18/2014 11:11:29 PM PDT by Impala64ssa

Members of Congress fly across the country continually for business, but a new bill would keep them from spending taxpayer money on first-class seats.

The "If Our Military Has to Fly Coach Then So Should Congress Act" was recently introduced by Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.), with his colleagues Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.).

The bill is aimed at cutting "waste, fraud and abuse," according to a statement by Rep. Gosar. "Members of Congress should not be using taxpayers' hard-earned money to buy luxury airline seats. If members of our military can't fly first class using taxpayer funds, neither should members of Congress," Gosar said.

Each member of Congress receives an average of $256,574 as a base allowance for travel, according to the Congressional Research Service, which would not be affected by the bill. The bill would instead prohibit members of Congress from using that allowance on first-class travel,according to ABC News.

Politicians would still be able to use their numerous frequent flier miles to upgrade their seats as well.


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: houseofreps; spending
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Bipartisan support for a bill that makes sense. A small step in the right direction.
1 posted on 05/18/2014 11:11:30 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
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To: Impala64ssa

I vote, Cargo Hold.


2 posted on 05/18/2014 11:18:23 PM PDT by Oliviaforever
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To: Oliviaforever

What’s wrong with the wheel well.


3 posted on 05/18/2014 11:23:25 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: Impala64ssa

Very small step - symbolic. Maybe allow any over 6-3 or taller.


4 posted on 05/18/2014 11:26:32 PM PDT by C. Edmund Wright (Tokyo Rove is more than a name, it's a GREAT WEBSITE)
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To: Impala64ssa

Never happen. They will never diminish their own royal attributes.....


5 posted on 05/18/2014 11:29:16 PM PDT by JParris
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To: C. Edmund Wright

I wonder if Jerrold Nadler gets special dispensation, can’t see how a fat guy can squeeze into the coach seats. The same Nadler who lodged a complaint with the FAA after flying to Fresno, found a tag on his luggage with the initials FAT (the three letter airport designation, for Fresno Air Terminal). Yes congressmen can be THAT stupid.


6 posted on 05/18/2014 11:34:54 PM PDT by Impala64ssa (You call me an islamophobe like it's a bad thing.)
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To: Impala64ssa

Save our country, make them take the bus.


7 posted on 05/18/2014 11:58:21 PM PDT by MaxMax (Pay Attention and you'll be pissed off too! FIRE BOEHNER, NOW!)
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To: Impala64ssa

Even Grimm is smarter than him.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/rep-nadler-ripped-rep-grimm-bridge-toll-article-1.1515107

“Will Domenic Recchia carry the weight of his good friend Jerry Nadler and support his preposterous toll proposal?” Grimm asked.


8 posted on 05/19/2014 12:16:03 AM PDT by ObamahatesPACoal
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To: Impala64ssa
Bipartisan support for a bill that makes sense. A small step in the right direction.

You would think so, but rats think they are better than us common people, and they deserve special treatment. There is one set of standards for the peons and another for the elites. Maybe the GOP e think the same way, I don't know, but I would expect voting to be along party lines.

9 posted on 05/19/2014 12:17:57 AM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
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To: Impala64ssa

this is sure to get Pelosi’s head spinning in circles


10 posted on 05/19/2014 12:22:44 AM PDT by blueplum
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To: ObamahatesPACoal

My my fat boy is very touchy about his weight isn’t he? I’m overweight myself, maybe I should get on the victimhood bus. From now on I proclaim that calling someone fat is the moral equivalent of the n-word. I demand to be referred to as gravitationaly challenged! /s


11 posted on 05/19/2014 12:35:48 AM PDT by Impala64ssa (You call me an islamophobe like it's a bad thing.)
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To: Impala64ssa

“I wonder if Jerrold Nadler gets special dispensation, can’t see how a fat guy can squeeze into the coach seats”

He can do what civilian obese people are required to do; buy two seats....


12 posted on 05/19/2014 3:23:10 AM PDT by snoringbear (E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
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To: Impala64ssa

What a great opportunity for constituent service!


13 posted on 05/19/2014 3:36:20 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Impala64ssa

Each member of Congress receives an average of $256,574 as a base allowance for travel,
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Is that per year?

Drop that number back to say 30 RT per year. When they reach the max, pay for it yourself.

Official - OFFICIAL - travel different but usually more than a few people involved so the AF or so could get flying hours by transporting our ‘elected officials’ or SERVANTS as they like to remind us - when it is to their benefit.

Of course, I believe we should pick A number be it 1, 5, 10 million per year, give it to them and let them hire their own staff, pay for their own housing (maybe a concession for the annual mandatory meeting), transportation and meals.
If they want to hire their own husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, no matter comes out of their pay.

Let them live on Obamacare and pay them by the hour for actual time worked.

We have a bunch of cry babys that maybe work 3 days a week and once a quarter when MAYBE a few of them hang around till 10PM, we are supposed to feel sorry for them.

Like ‘WE’ tell the illegals - IF we aren’t treating you properly:
“GO BACK WHERE YOU MUST HAVE BEEN MORE COMFORTABLE”


14 posted on 05/19/2014 3:41:03 AM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98)"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until they speak.".)
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To: Impala64ssa
Politicians would still be able to use their numerous frequent flier miles to upgrade their seats as well.

IIRC, federal employees are not allowed to do this as it would be seen as a "kick-back", the same as being forbidden from accepting lunch from a contractor, for example.

Maybe the rules have changed, or it's just another special difference for the Special People.

15 posted on 05/19/2014 3:44:32 AM PDT by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1!)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

Also, they should have to be given a TSA colonscopy before they get on the plane.

Thanks Impala64ssa.


16 posted on 05/19/2014 3:57:43 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/ http://www.freerepublic.com/~bigheadfred/)
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To: Impala64ssa

Pandering to the little people. You really don’t expect them to rub elbows with the peons do you? I smell upgrades. Lots of them.


17 posted on 05/19/2014 4:24:59 AM PDT by meatloaf (Impeach Obama. That's my New Year's resolution.)
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To: Impala64ssa

Every member of congress should be compensated for one round trip bus fare from their home state to D.C.

They need to show up in D.C., vote on a budget, and go back to their job at home.


18 posted on 05/19/2014 4:37:54 AM PDT by Rodamala
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To: blueplum

“this is sure to get Pelosi’s head spinning in circles”

Wonder if she had to give up her military jet when she lost her Speakership? I really relish the thought of her flying coach, middle seat, mom holding screaming baby on one side and a 400 salesman on the other side. Love the vision lol :)


19 posted on 05/19/2014 4:42:24 AM PDT by snoringbear (E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
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To: snoringbear

10 to 1, it will NOT pass muster.

Elected officials will not give up any of their perks/benefits and this is like all the rest (automatic pay raises, never having to live themselves under the laws they pass, etc.)

Waste of time other than to bring the issue to light prior to the upcoming elections.


20 posted on 05/19/2014 4:47:07 AM PDT by DaveA37
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