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House Democrats question Secret Service on payments to Trump properties
The Hill ^ | 02 12 2020 | Cristina Marcos

Posted on 02/12/2020 12:50:28 PM PST by yesthatjallen

Members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday asked the Secret Service to disclose the scope of its payments to President Trump's company while protecting him as he spends time at his properties.

The request for documents and information came after The Washington Post reported last week that the Trump Organization has charged the Secret Service — and thereby taxpayers — for rooms used by agents at rates as high at $650 per night, despite claims that it only charges minimal fees.

In a letter to Secret Service Director James Murray, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) asked for records of payments to Trump properties and any contracts between the Secret Service and the Trump Organization.

“The payment of rates far above government rates and the Trump Administration’s lack of transparency raise serious concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars and raise questions about government spending at other Trump properties,” Maloney and Speier wrote in the letter. “These concerns are heightened since President Trump has spent a third of his presidency at his private clubs and hotels, and his Treasury Secretary has attempted to shield Secret Service expenses from public scrutiny.”

SNIP

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: hotels; secretservice; trump
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To: yesthatjallen
Note to demoncRats.

When you stay in a presidential suite, every other room's rate is a cheap rate.

21 posted on 02/12/2020 1:41:03 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Time to up our FR Monthlies by 5-10%. You'll < hardly miss it and it will help.)
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To: yesthatjallen
I seem to remember very high payments to both Hillary and Biden for Secret Service to stay close to those they were protecting. So is this much different?
22 posted on 02/12/2020 1:42:04 PM PST by Robert357
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To: yesthatjallen

This is a nothing. Government sets per diem rates for lodging, food, and miscellaneous official expenses at localities. Government employees file a travel voucher upon completing their trip.

If, by chance, government employees were charged higher than the per diem, there’s usually a justification for mission need. In this case, it’s not feasible to expect agents protecting the President to stay at a “cheap sleep” 45 minutes away or even down the street. Communications needs to be set up in place at the President’s location.

I’d be surprised if any Trump properties charged more than the maximum locality rate—a nice gesture, but certainly not required as long as it’s consistent with what others are being charged. If the oversight busybodies are expecting the Trump properties to “comp” the stays of the entourage at zero cost, that isn’t allowed either as it could be considered a gratuity. The government has to pay for services received as long as it’s not fraudulent or excessive.

No doubt there’s a cadre of lawyers constantly reviewing all of this.


23 posted on 02/12/2020 1:46:59 PM PST by Skybird
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To: yesthatjallen
I have to admit, the charges to the SS at Mir A Lago seem to be a bit excess after a statement by Kushner where he said they only charge about $65 per night........

I sure hope someone can clarify this.........

24 posted on 02/12/2020 1:52:10 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (I want an impeachment pen)
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To: yesthatjallen

But was okay under 0bama.


25 posted on 02/12/2020 1:55:06 PM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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To: Steely Tom

So did Old Joe Biden.

I would hope that they declared it as income on their tax returns.


26 posted on 02/12/2020 2:09:06 PM PST by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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To: yesthatjallen
was that actually paid money or just on the hotel books for accounting purposes to be written off???
27 posted on 02/12/2020 3:59:17 PM PST by Chode (Send bachelors and come heavily armed.)
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To: yesthatjallen

The Biden SS detail is billed $2200 a month for their cottage adjacent to his waterfront home.


28 posted on 02/12/2020 3:59:54 PM PST by Ozark Tom
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To: shalom aleichem; Liz

Was Biden charging the SS rent? Or Hillary? Or did both do it?


29 posted on 02/12/2020 4:03:02 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but ABCNNBCBS donates every hour, every night, every day of the year.)
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To: Robert A Cook PE

Sure they both did it, and probably still do in the case of Hillary and Bill’s house in Chappaqua NY


30 posted on 02/12/2020 4:26:30 PM PST by shalom aleichem (Barr and Durham! Get movin'. Time's awastin')
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To: yesthatjallen

Democrats continue to pump up the vote for Trump!


31 posted on 02/12/2020 4:45:31 PM PST by familyop ("Welcome to Costco. I love you." - -Costco greeter in the movie, "Idiocracy")
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To: Ozark Tom; NTHockey

Plus the hazardous/disgusting duty pay for female SS agents that guard Biden when he’s walking around and swimming naked when the wife is out of town.

I think that should be added in as well. ;-)


32 posted on 02/12/2020 6:51:19 PM PST by Tunehead54 (Nothing funny here ;-)
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To: yesthatjallen

‘Peach Foty Six!


33 posted on 02/12/2020 7:19:38 PM PST by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west))
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