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Lawmakers Keep the Change (from travel per-diems)
Wall Street Journal ^
| March 2, 2010
| Brody Mullins and T. W. Farnam
Posted on 03/02/2010 5:26:19 AM PST by reaganaut1
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When Congressmen break the law by not returning unused travel funds, I bet they are also breaking the law by failing to report that money as income. What does the Congression Republican leadership have to say about this?
To: reaganaut1
If that was the policy, you could never get many members traveling,"
The downside to this would be what?
2
posted on
03/02/2010 5:29:56 AM PST
by
anoldafvet
(As of 12/24/2009, no more democrats elected - ever)
To: reaganaut1
If employees at corporations broke these rules repeatedly, you can bet they’d be fired pretty quickly if they did not make restitution.
3
posted on
03/02/2010 5:30:34 AM PST
by
quintr
To: quintr
Since they break the rules so flagrantly, then why aren’t they brought before the House Rules & Ethics Committee for violations?
Maybe we need a recall proviso in our election laws. Then perhaps the lawmakers wouldn’t be so brave with their illegal behaviors.
4
posted on
03/02/2010 5:32:58 AM PST
by
quintr
To: quintr
Since they break the rules so flagrantly, then why aren’t they brought before the House Rules & Ethics Committee for violations?
Maybe we need a recall proviso in our election laws. Then perhaps the lawmakers wouldn’t be so brave with their illegal behaviors.
5
posted on
03/02/2010 5:33:18 AM PST
by
quintr
To: reaganaut1
“If that was the policy [returning unspent per diem advances], you could never get many members traveling,” said Rep. Solomon Ortiz, a Texas Democrat.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I guess the rationale is, “If you can't embezzle with impunity, what's the point of showing up for work in the first place?.”
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a cash advance.
6
posted on
03/02/2010 5:38:32 AM PST
by
Mobties
To: anoldafvet
Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) said he once tried to return surplus cash to the State Department, but “they wouldn’t take it. They said, ‘We don’t have a way to handle that.’ “ Mr. Coburn said he sent a personal check to the U.S. Treasury.
7
posted on
03/02/2010 5:41:36 AM PST
by
TornadoAlley3
(Obama is everything Oklahoma is not.)
To: quintr
I have a little left, but it’s not muchmaybe 80, 90, or 100 dollars
———————————————————>
Obviously this is “chump change” for our Representatives.
8
posted on
03/02/2010 5:41:58 AM PST
by
not2worry
(WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND)
To: reaganaut1
"If that was the policy, you could never get many members traveling," said Rep. Solomon Ortiz, a Texas Democrat.Now that's what I call a good start! mebbe Obama meant Hopey, Keep that Changey...and I agree, When Congressmen break the law by not returning unused travel funds, I bet they are also breaking the law by failing to report that money as income. Instead of writing your congressman, write the IRS.
9
posted on
03/02/2010 5:42:13 AM PST
by
CRBDeuce
(here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
To: reaganaut1
“If that was the policy, you could never get many members traveling,”
That is the idea - to stop government hacks from traveling.
10
posted on
03/02/2010 5:43:38 AM PST
by
edcoil
(If I had 1 cent for every dollar the government saved, Bill Gates and I would be friends.)
To: reaganaut1
...but it's not muchmaybe 80, 90, or 100 dollars, Again I am speechless at how out of touch these people are with the middle class. I hate these bloodsuckers.
11
posted on
03/02/2010 5:49:32 AM PST
by
ladyvet
(WOLVERINES!!!!!)
To: reaganaut1
Lawmakers who pocket the change would also include those at the local levels, and it would include staff members who go to seminars and/or training programs. Let’s also not forget that due to some reporting requirements, or non-requirements, booze, special shows on TV, etc., are being paid with tax payer dollars.
12
posted on
03/02/2010 5:53:33 AM PST
by
LuvFreeRepublic
(Support our military or leave. I will help you pack BO!)
To: quintr
Since they break the rules so flagrantly, then why arent they brought before the House Rules & Ethics Committee for violations? We should have a citizen's panel.
The House Committee is just a bunch of foxes judging another fox that raided the henhouse!
13
posted on
03/02/2010 6:06:03 AM PST
by
MamaTexan
(I am not a administrative, corporate, collective, legal, political or public entity or ~person~)
To: reaganaut1
If that was the policy, you could never get many members traveling," said Rep. Solomon Ortiz, a Texas Democrat. Mr. Ortiz said he had never returned any money. That IS the policy, according to the IRS. Per Diem not used for travel expenses ( and documented with a receipt) is income. This is why most companies reimburse expenses only. Of course, Congress doesn't have to follow the rules they've laid down for the rest of us.
To: reaganaut1
They make the rules for all us “little people,” but surely we can’t expect them to know all the rules that apply to them.
15
posted on
03/02/2010 6:59:30 AM PST
by
smokingfrog
(You can't ignore your boss and expect to keep your job... WWW.filipthishouse2010.com)
To: reaganaut1
just mo o’ dat dere Walkin’ Around Money dontcha know...
To: Abathar; Abcdefg; Abram; Abundy; akatel; albertp; AlexandriaDuke; Alexander Rubin; Allerious; ...
17
posted on
03/02/2010 7:32:35 AM PST
by
bamahead
(Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
To: reaganaut1
18
posted on
03/02/2010 7:48:40 AM PST
by
Danae
(Don't like our Constitution? Try living in a country with out one.)
To: reaganaut1
Claiming that I didn’t know the rules got me a verbal reprimand and some retraining!
$250/day may seem like a lot but I’ve been places where a buffet breakfast was $75.
In the long run it is usually best to grant the per diem and not spend the time and expense of accounting for the nickel and dime stuff. And yes, $100 left over after a week or two of traveling is still nickel and dime and there is more spent in accounting for the $100 than it is worth.
But those aren’t the rules and they should play by the rules.
19
posted on
03/02/2010 7:51:26 AM PST
by
Eagle Eye
(The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.)
To: not2worry
When the cost of a business class ticket is $10k or more, $80-$100 in perdiem isn’t a whole lot. Sometimes that is barely enough for a meal at the hotel.
20
posted on
03/02/2010 7:53:44 AM PST
by
Eagle Eye
(The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.)
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