Judicial Watch posts documents in ‘Pelosi Air Force Scandal’; travel tops $2 million

The US Report ^ | 29 Jan 2010 | Kay Day

[Crush]

The government watchdog group Judicial Watch obtained documents from the Air Force detailing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of US Air Force aircraft for Congressional Delegations (CODELs). According to the documents obtained by Judicial Watch through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Speaker’s military travel cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period — $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol.

The following are highlights from the recent release of about 2,000 documents related to Pelosi's travel:

•Speaker Pelosi used Air Force aircraft to travel back to her district at an average cost of $28,210.51 per flight. The average cost of an international CODEL is $228,563.33. Of the 103 Pelosi-led congressional delegations (CODEL), 31 trips included members of the House Speaker’s family.

•One CODEL traveling from Washington, DC, through Tel Aviv, Israel to Baghdad, Iraq May 15-20, 2008, “to discuss matters of mutual concern with government leaders” included members of Congress and their spouses and cost $17,931 per hour in aircraft alone. Purchases for the CODEL included: Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey’s Irish Crème, Maker’s Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine.

•According to a “Memo for Record” from a March 29—April 7, 2007, CODEL that involved a stop in Israel, “CODEL could only bring Kosher items into the Hotel. Kosher alcohol for mixing beverages in the Delegation room was purchased on the local economy i.e. Bourbon, Whiskey, Scotch, Vodka, Gin, Triple Sec, Tequila, etc.”

•The Department of Defense advanced a CODEL of 56 members of Congress and staff $60,000 to travel to Louisiana and Mississippi July 19-22, 2008, to “view flood relief advances from...

[FrankR]

bttt

[Brilliant]

She is the most corrupt Speaker in memory. The only reason they gave the Speaker a oplane in the first instance was due to the war on terror. But she denies that there even is a war on terror.

[ronnie raygun]

I hope her challengers use this in thier election adds

[ZOOKER]

anyone know what that aircraft is about? My guess, surveillance/radar

Your guess would be right. It's a Boeing 737 modified with airborne early warning radar, designation "Wedgetail".

[bboop]

The Botox Princess. I bet we pay for that, too.

[Leisler]

Thanks. I knew the FR distributive intelligence network would come through.

[votemout]

I wish JW well, but I’m still waiting for them to put the Clintons in prison.

[FrankR]

"One CODEL traveling from Washington, DC, through Tel Aviv, Israel to Baghdad, Iraq May 15-20, 2008, “to discuss matters of mutual concern with government leaders” included members of Congress and their spouses and cost $17,931 per hour in aircraft alone. Purchases for the CODEL included: Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey’s Irish Crème, Maker’s Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of wine. "

Why is alcohol allowed on U.S. Military aircraft?

Why is a U.S. Military Aircraft at the disposal of a civilian?

Who is responsible and liable for non-military passengers (i.e. family) if the thing was to go down? Does the military get sued?

Bella Polosi is independently wealthy, and should be able to afford her own jet...(why not, John Travolta's got one).

Time to flood your representatives' offices with protest about queenie's blatent waste of our tax dollars for her convenience.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Can we trust these figures when they can spend out the wazoo for toilet seats and hammers? Just sayin’.

[RummyChick]

it has hit drudge..with this link
http://www.thefoxnation.com/nancy-pelosi/2010/02/01/pelosi-using-air-force-chauffer-her-kids-around

[EdReform]

Ping

[mojitojoe]

I guess Fox got threatened, they removed the story.

[Tzimisce]

Pelosi re-elected in landslide!

-Headline this Nov

[1066AD]

Rush was on it today. There's been a follow-up, members of her family have been using USAF planes as personal shuttles.

[RummyChick]

Tom Fitton at Judicial Watch sends the following clarification/correction re. Doug’s post:

Mr. Ross,

We saw your analysis of the recent Pelosi flight documents Judicial Watch obtained from the Air Force.

Double-checking, we found documents we obtained last year on this issue. The other documents seem to show that the Speaker was on most if not all of the flights in question.

Of course, there are legitimate criticisms for her flying her “dependent” forty-something son and other family members around via luxury jets for coach rates, but it looks like she was, at least, on the flights with them.

http://michellemalkin.com/2010/02/01/air-pelosi-update-speakers-taxpayer-funded-friends-family-shuttle/

[airborne]

PELOSI MUST STEP DOWN IMMEDIATELY!!

Regardless of the outcome, the seriousness of the charges has stained the position irreversibly!

RESIGN NOW NANCY! (and pay back all the costs!)

[Crush]

Thanks for posting this. I tried to verify myself.