House Panel: Lawmakers Can Keep Flying First Class at Public Expense

Lawmakers can continue to fly first-class, according to The Hill, which reports that the House Rules Committee will not allow a vote on an amendment to an appropriations bill that would prohibit members of Congress from using taxpayer money to buy "luxury airfare accommodations."

Republican Reps. Rod Blum of Iowa and Paul Gosar of Arizona, along with Florida Rep. Gwen Graham, a Democrat, filed an amendment to the annual appropriations bill for legislative branch operations — a $3.3 billion bill that includes a pay freeze on lawmakers' salaries — that would disallow first-class air travel. But the House Rules Committee didn't grant the amendment a vote, according to The Hill.

Blum told the publication that constituents voiced complaints about the practice during his political campaign last year.

"I heard about it numerous times on the campaign trail from citizens," said Blum, who is serving his first term. "I think it would send a great message to working families that are hurting that we share empathy for their situation by doing this."

In March, Gosar issued a statement about members of Congress using their "Representational Allowance," which is funded by taxpayers, to purchase first-class airfare.

"Currently, a loophole exists that allows members of Congress to fly first-class at the expense of the American taxpayer," he said. "When we have rules in place not allowing our military to fly first class, there is absolutely no reason members of Congress should be treated any different.

"Furthermore, luxury airfare accommodations utilizing taxpayer monies would seem inappropriate in any fiscal climate, but at a time of soaring deficits and with a federal debt in excess of $18 trillion, such expenditures are especially wasteful. Elected leaders are public servants of the people and shouldn’t be considered a privileged class."

Members of the House Rules Committee on Monday questioned the need for and practicality of the proposed ban.

"I don't think members are going around buying first-class tickets," said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democrat. "I just don't think it's a problem."

There have been various bills introduced to ban Congress from using federal money to buy first-class airfare, though none has made any headway.

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