FOXNews.com
- March 10, 2009
Pelosi Made Repeated Requests for Military Aircraft, Documents Show
Representatives for Judicial Watch, which obtained e-mails and other documents showing the requests, say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has treated the Air Force as her "personal airline."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly requested military aircraft to shuttle her and her colleagues and family around the country, according to a new report from a conservative watchdog group.
Representatives for Judicial Watch, which obtained e-mails and other documents from a Freedom of Information request, said the correspondence shows Pelosi has abused the system in place to accommodate congressional leaders and treated the Air Force as her "personal airline."
Pelosi's office disputed the claim, pointing to White House policy enacted after the Sept. 11 attacks allowing for the House speaker to travel to his or her congressional district via military aircraft whenever possible for security reasons. Her office said she typically uses the same kind of aircraft used by her predecessor, Dennis Hastert.
But Judicial Watch said that Pelosi was notorious for making special demands for high-end aircraft, lodging last-minute cancellations and racking up additional expenses for the military.
The e-mails showed repeated attempts by Pelosi aides to request aircraft, sometimes aggressively, and by Department of Defense officials to accommodate them.
"I think that's above and beyond what other members of Congress are doing and what is expected of our elected officials," said Jenny Small, a researcher with the group.
In one e-mail, aide Kay King complained to the military that they had not made available any aircraft the House speaker wanted for Memorial Day recess.
"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," King wrote.
In another, when told a certain type of aircraft would not be available, King wrote: "This is not good news, and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset Speaker."
Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami said the report seemed to be based on only "a few e-mails," and defended the requests for military aircraft for her colleagues as a "function of the speaker's office." Elshami said at least one of the requests in the above e-mails referenced requests made for other members.
Pelosi's office noted that the Department of Defense ultimately makes all decisions on use of military aircraft for travel, and that Pelosi is "extraordinarily appreciative" of the department's effort to accommodate Congress.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
'The Right Decision'
-
Nov 09, 2009
Republican votes for health care bill
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 2
-
Nov 08, 2009
Favorite moments from election coverage
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 1
-
Nov 08, 2009
The gang reviews 'V'
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 3
-
Nov 08, 2009
Cupp is shocked by Ellis Henican's tie
-
-
-
Bob McDonnell on 'FNS'
-
Nov 08, 2009
Winning strategy for the GOP?
-
-
-
The Journal Editorial Report: 11/7
-
Nov 08, 2009
Club for Growth defends N.Y.-23 race
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 51.8% | 43.7% | +8.1% |
| Congress | 25.5% | 66.7% | -41.2% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 37.5% | 56.0% | -18.5% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,118 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 608 comments
-
Republicans Rally Resistance to Health Care Bill, as House Vote Nears
November 05, 2009 654 comments
-
Frank Mocks Health Reform Protesters, Bachmann
November 06, 2009 501 comments
-
Democrats Face Electoral Backlash After Health Care Vote, Top Republican Warns
November 09, 2009 497 comments
-
Health Bill Faces Senate Heat
November 09, 2009
-
Requests Rise for Jobless-Aid Program
November 08, 2009
-
Utilities Urge Action on Emissions
November 08, 2009
-
Blue Dog Democrats Hold Key
November 07, 2009
-
Obama Praises Bravery at Fort Hood
November 07, 2009
-
Why Africa welcomes the ‘new colonialism’
November 08, 2009
-
Which will come out on top: paper or gold?
November 08, 2009
-
Double click if you want the bin emptied
November 08, 2009
-
The key to rubbing along in perfect harmony
November 08, 2009
-
Tear down this wall! And save the planet
November 08, 2009
recommend

Subscribe to Comments






