Legislation introduced this week takes aim at members of Congress who use taxpayer provided funds to fly first class.
Dubbed the If Our Military Has to Fly Coach Then So Should Congress Act (HR 4632), the bill takes aim at prohibiting the use of the allowance given to members of Congress to carry out official duties to be used for upgrading to first class airfare.
The legislation is sponsored by Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and John Barrow (D-GA).
“As representatives of the American people, we in Congress have a responsibility to wisely use the people’s money,” said Congressman Jones. “Members of the House and Senate should never secure their own luxury travel at taxpayer expense, but they especially should not do so when our nation is buried $17 trillion deep in debt.”
Rep. Gosar added, “It’s a very simple bill. All it does is prohibit members of Congress from using taxpayer funds to purchase first-class airfare. At a time of massive deficits and with a national debt in excess of $17 trillion, 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 noted that the bill doesn’t prohibit Congressmen from flying first class, just that it would require them to pay for a first class upgrade with their own money.
