House Republicans are bristling over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request that a larger military plane be used to transport her around than was used to transport Dennis Hastert when he was the Speaker.
They've got a point. When are our elected leaders going to stop expecting to be treated like they were royalty?
1 comment:
Actually, although I had the same initial reaction, a closer look at the case dispels this appearance. After 9/11, it was insisted by the military (not Congress) that the Speaker of the House have a private plane like the Pres. and VP for security reasons (2nd heartbeat from the presidency). Speaker Hastert's plane is incapable of flying from D.C. to San Francisco (Pelosi's district) without refueling and refueling increases security risks on the ground.
Pelosi is asking for a plane, no matter the size, that can reach San Francisco from D.C. without refueling. She is willing to abide by restrictions as to who can fly aboard it (so it isn't used as a fundraising perk) and restrictions as to when it can be used and for what purposes.
That's not asking for royal perks. If the government is going to insist that the Speaker have a private jet, they ought to have one that can reach back to home districts on direct flight. Neither the President nor VP (Air Force 1 and 2) have to travel to home districts as the Speaker does.
Post a Comment