‘JetGate’ Revelations Dog Speaker Pelosi

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:05 PM

By: David A. Patten


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been treating the United States Air Force as her personal airline, blocking out multiple flights, issuing last minute cancellations after planes and crew are prepped and ready, and expressing outrage when the military aircraft weren’t available.

Those revelations are based on Air Force documents obtained by Judicial Watch, the nonprofit organization that exposes government waste and corruption.

"Not only does Speaker Pelosi issue unreasonable requests for military travel,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, “but her office seems unconcerned about wasting taxpayer money with last minute cancellations and other demands."

In one instance, a House staffer shot off an e-mail to Air Force officials stating: "It is my understanding there are no G5s available for the House during the Memorial Day recess. This is totally unacceptable...The speaker will want to know where the planes are."

On another occasion, when a certain type of aircraft was unavailable, the staffer responded, “This is not good news, and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset speaker."

Judicial Watch also reports that a request by Pelosi to have her husband accompany a congressional fact-finding visit to Iraq was denied. “The DOD explained to Pelosi that the agency has a written policy prohibiting spouses from joining [congressional delegations] in combat zones,” Judicial Watch reported.

According to Fox News, Pelosi’s office is disputing the claims. They point to a White House policy enacted after 9/11 that gives the speaker of the house authority to travel by military aircraft for security reasons.

Judicial Watch quotes a Defense Department official complaining about “hidden costs” associated with last minute schedule changes. "We have...folks prepping the jets and crews driving in (not a short drive for some), cooking meals and preflighting the jets, etc.," the official said.


Source: Newsmax.com

[edit on 12-3-2009 by BornPatriot]

How could this be worse than Watergate?

Yes, Pelosi's being an arrogant b&^%$ and wasting taxpayer money. Does this surprise ANYONE?

However, members of Congress are entitled to use military jets if one is available. And as far as I know she hasn't broken any laws. Well, no laws related to this "scandal" anyway.

[edit on 12-3-2009 by sweetpeanc]