By Kathryn Jean Lopez
There's been a lot of controversy about the expense of and use of military aircraft to get Speakers of the House around in recent years -- especially when Nancy Pelosi asked for an upgrade (and because she's a she). That is apparently about to end. Presumptive Speaker Boehner just told reporters he's flown commercial for 20 years and will continue to do so as Speaker.
There is a time and a place for a private flight, like to a potentially hostile nation, a group of congressmen in a emergency flight and still working out bill details, etc., but for routine flights home there is no reason they can't go commercial. At the very least, it makes it look like the new Republicans are sympathetic with the pain the average American is going through at the moment. |