The Pentagon asks for the funds to purchase a Gulfstream V and a version of the 737 to replace aging planes used to shuttle Government Officials, including members of the military.  It also asked for funds to purchase 2 planes currently being leased.  The Pentagon was not asking to expand the fleet of airplanes used for travel by Government Officials.

The response from the House of Representatives: not only did they authorize funds to purchase those four planes, they authorized the purchase of four more not asked for by the Military.   They authorized two military versions of the Gulfstream V ($66 Million each) and 2 737’s ($70 Million each).

The Pentagon issued a statement after the expenditures were authorized stating that not only were the planes not asked for, they weren’t even needed.

This after the members of Congress excoriated the companies that received tax-payer money having their CEO’s fly in to Washington using private, company owned jets.

Here’s a newsflash for those dummies in Washington, THOSE jets weren’t paid for by the tax payers.  Oh, and this has nothing to do with the fact that Congressional travel has expanding exponentially since 1995.   Last year, House members spent a combined 3,000 days over-seas at tax-payer expense.

And here’s a great line:

Ellis Brachman, a spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee, said the changes were part of “Congress’s normal oversight responsibility” to make sure “the troops have everything they need.”

Excuse me, the airplanes in question aren’t used by the “troops”.  They’re used by the high-ranking military brass, high-ranking members of the Executive Branch, and by members of Congress.  The troops have nothing to do with this and I resent you trying to play on our emotions in an attempt to justify your actions.  This is about the fact that you get to travel at tax-payer expense on these planes, and get to take your spouse along as long as it’s a Military plane.  That’s right, the tax-payers get to pay for the members of Congress to take their spouse on the supposed Business trip.

If it’s a Business trip, you don’t need your spouse along.

We do not have an aristocracy in this country, and members of Congress need to be reminded of that.