A proposal introduced by a House Democrat would prevent members of Congress from flying first class on taxpayers' dimes.
Florida Rep. Gwen Graham, who just took office in January, announced the
Congressional Travel Perks Elimination Act on Tuesday.
The law would prevent members of Congress from using tax dollars to pay for first-class airplane tickets and long-term leases for personal cars.
"Nine months ago, I pledged if elected I would work to end wasteful Congressional perks. Today, I'm following through on that promise," Graham said in a release posted to her website. "It's a commonsense idea that Republicans and Democrats can both agree on: members of Congress shouldn't be able to charge taxpayers for first-class airfare or long-term personal car leases."
During her campaign last year, Graham pledged to help rid Congress of wasteful perks. In addition to this legislation, she plans to introduce other bills related to that campaign promise.
"I don't know anyone in North Florida with an $800 car lease, and the taxpayers here certainly shouldn't be paying for a member of Congress to have such an overpriced perk," Graham said.
Graham, the daughter of former Sen. Bob Graham, beat Republican incumbent Steve Southerland last fall in the race to represent Florida's 2nd district. She was one of only two House Democrats to beat an incumbent Republican at the polls.
A January report in Roll Call claimed members of Congress and their families took 1,942 domestic and international trips last year that were paid for by private groups. The total cost of those trips was $5.1 million.
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