House Orders Up Three Elite Jets

Sorry but it seems a critical element of this story has been largely overlooked...

The Air Force had asked for one Gulfstream 550 jet (price tag: about $65 million) as part of an ongoing upgrade of its passenger air service.

But the House Appropriations Committee, at its own initiative, added to the 2010 Defense appropriations bill another $132 million for two more airplanes and specified that they be assigned to the D.C.-area units that carry Members of Congress, military brass and top government officials.

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When the Congress adds money to a request by the military it's pork or perk. Always.

:2wave:

The Mark said:

IMO, it is perfectly reasonable for private jets to be available for use by congress. They, after all, are tasked with overseeing the country as a whole and their respective states specifically. Rapid, immediate travel is a necessary part of that, I would think.

Now, using such taxpayer-funded transportation for personal use, such as going to a vacation resort, etc., is unacceptable.

I also see no real issue with business executives doing the same thing, within reason.

Example: A multi-national company uses private jets to transport it's key personnel to necessary locations.

Again, trips which are not business related should cause issue with their stockholders/whatever entity cares about unneeded costs.

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Wrong. They are tasked with legislation. Most of the "oversight" functions are the result of generations of extra-constitutional power grabs.

They would be far better advised to spend their time in libraries gaining useful insight than flitting about the world for photo opps.

If they are compelled to travel, commercial airlines and charter services, are available.

(I consider it a violation of separation of powers for Congress to utilize military transport unless as guests of the President.)

phattonez said:

So I hope you see the hypocrisy in members of congress berating CEOs for using personal jets when they themselves need to use them.

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Well I guess you really don't understand how and when members of Congress get to use the stuff from the 87th ATW.

Look folks allotof you are making comments about a subject that you really don't have nay clue about. The aircraft of the 87th are task for one major job to provide Excutive Style Flight for Congress and the President.

One of the reason that they do use these aircraft (members of Congress) is it is easier and safer for them.

As for the extra two being added on who care I'm guessing that the USAF actually ask to have more then the original 2 anyways so getting three to replace four is not a bad idea.

Oftencold said:

(I consider it a violation of separation of powers for Congress to utilize military transport unless as guests of the President.)

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It;s far from any Violation of Separation of Powers, you guys do understand that 97% of the time the aircraft that make up the 87th ATW are used by the US Military. There are only four dedicated airframes that are exclusive to the President these being the two 747s one of the C-37Bs and one C-40B. The rest of the fleet is used mainly for Top Brass in the Military and when task to carry members of Congress on certain types of trips.

I think some of you need to get a grip on the fact that the 87th is task for these jobs and that these aircraft are used for these jobs. I rather them use these then pull a front Line Transport out of Duty and use it.

Well, you dodged my main point, of course. Representatives and Senators generally don't need to take field trips. They need to study. And if they get restless and need to roam, they should do so on their dime.

House provides $200 million for gov't VIP jets

House provides $200 million for gov't VIP jets - Yahoo! News

"The move raised eyebrows from some Congress-watchers since the planes are sometimes used to ferry lawmakers on overseas trips. And the House measure directs that two of the aircraft be located at Andrews Air Force Base in the Washington suburbs — a favored departure point for congressional trips."


But they can't friggin' get a health care bill of any kind approved. Who are these jerks really?

Oftencold said:

Well, you dodged my main point, of course. Representatives and Senators generally don't need to take field trips. They need to study. And if they get restless and need to roam, they should do so on their dime.

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And for the most part they do. when they are with-in North america they use the Airlines. The only time that they use any of the 87th ATW stuff is when they are going out of the United States and only when they are traveling with-in groups of four or more that is the rules and protocal.

Also I would like to point out one other itme some of you seem to be missing when Congress use these aircraft it because The Secret Service has deemed them to. the Secret Service has the last call on how and what type of transportation is used by Congress. If a group of folks from Vongress are going over to lets say Turkey to discuss trade items then the Secrete Service will step in and say great but you will be taking one of the C-40As for this trip.

Re: House provides $200 million for gov't VIP jets

Saboteur said:

House provides $200 million for gov't VIP jets - Yahoo! News

"The move raised eyebrows from some Congress-watchers since the planes are sometimes used to ferry lawmakers on overseas trips. And the House measure directs that two of the aircraft be located at Andrews Air Force Base in the Washington suburbs — a favored departure point for congressional trips."


But they can't friggin' get a health care bill of any kind approved. Who are these jerks really?

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There is already a thread on this please use that one.

http://www.debatepolitics.com/breaking-news/53727-house-orders-up-three-elite-jets.html