Posted on 03/15/2010 8:53:32 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
The economy is still limping along, but some members of Congress are nevertheless riding in style: At least 10 House members are spending more than $1,000 a month in taxpayer money to lease cars.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver appears to be the biggest spender.
In the last quarter of 2009, the Missouri Democrat doled out $2,900 a month to lease a WiFi-equipped, handicap-accessible mobile office that runs on used cooking oil.
Rather than paying for an additional office, the congressman has a mobile office, with all the capabilities to do casework across the district, Cleaver spokesman Danny Rotert wrote in an e-mail. We can go where our constituents are and accommodate those in wheelchairs with the mobile offices lift.
But at least nine other members are paying more than $1,000 a month for more basic rides.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Why in the world does any member of Congress get ANY form of tax-payer funded transportation - with the possible exception of the SOTH, who of course is in the line of succession, so there are legitimate security concerns. DC has a robust public transportation system. They should ALL take advantage of it. If trains are good enough for the little people, they're good enough for them.
par for the course:
Lawmakers Keep the Change (from travel per-diems)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2462301/posts
A few years ago, I met Senator Spencer Abraham at an event in Michigan. He showed up in a very basic late model Buick and drive himself. I was impressed.
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