Pelosi: Do as I say.....not as I do....

From the Republican Study Committee:

As you may have heard, Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed the Department of Defense to provide her a military aircraft for flights - including trips back to San Francisco.

But Did You Know?
Who Pays for Speaker Pelosi's travel? You do.

Speaker Pelosi is driven by a government owned SUV that is exempt from the gas tax when used for business related travel. Thus, Speaker Pelosi not only avoids paying for auto travel (paid for by Capitol Police) she doesn't even pay the gas tax that millions of Americans pay each day. (Internal Revenue Code Section 6421E). §

Rep. Pelosi has voted to raise gasoline taxes at least five times. Speaker Pelosi has requested an Air Force C-32 - a plane from a fleet that that typically carries the vice president, the first lady, and Cabinet officials. Operating Costs are approximately $15,000 an hour. Speaker Pelosi is not responsible for paying for the use of her "personal" Department of Defense jet - which will be used to transport not just herself, but staff, family, other members and friends. That bill is paid for by taxpayer dollars allotted to the Department of Defense.§

"...For one of those planes to fly the speaker home to San Francisco, drop her off, and fly back and get her, would cost taxpayers around $300,000 - while round-trip commercial fares start at $233." (DC Examiner, 2/5/2007)§

The larger plane requested by Speaker Pelosi would include 42 business class seats, a fully-enclosed state room, an entertainment center, a private bed, state-of-the-art communications system and a crew of 16. (CNN, 2/5/07)·

In contrast, Speaker Hastert "...used a smaller jet that seats 12 and has five crew members and none of the amenities." (CNN, 2/5/07)§

"U.S. Air Force travel for VIPs such as members of Congress is first-rate. The planes are staffed with stewards who serve meals and tend an open bar." (Washington Times, 2/1/2007)

To borrow her own words, it's time for Speaker Pelosi to "Walk the Walk" on her beliefs and priorities: Speaker Pelosi maintains that that, "The science of global warming and its impact is overwhelming and unequivocal." (Boston Globe, 1/22/07). "It's an issue that the speaker thinks is critical to address," said Pelosi spokeswoman Jennifer Crider. (AP, 1/18/2007)·

In his State of the Union this year, President Bush proposed tackling the issue by aiming to cut gasoline consumption by 20% in 10 years... And Democrats remained skeptical about his commitment. "It's not just about what he says. It's about what he does." [Speaker] Pelosi said. "In the past ... he has talked the talk on climate change. But he hasn't walked the walk." (Los Angeles Times, 1/24/2007)

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the motives behind Mrs. Pelosi's landmark request - including some within her own office. But, Defense Officials seem to have an answer. · ".... [Pelosi's] safety would be best ensured by using a plane that has the fuel capacity to go coast-to-coast.... "There's a certain amount of inefficiency and risk involved in stopping and having to refuel," said Dew Hammill, Spokesman for the Speaker. (Roll Call, 2/5/2007)

"...sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation." (Washington Times, 2/1/2007

"...According to reports, Speaker Pelosi requested the use of a military plane to attend a retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia, last week. That's 150 miles or a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C. That request, by all accounts, was denied." (CNN, 2/5/07)

"The Department of Defense offered Speaker Pelosi the same aircraft' as the one used by Hastert...." "She found it was not big enough for staff, supporters and other Members." (Roll Call, 2/5/2007)

The defense source, who asked not to be named, termed her request "carte blanche," saying "she wanted a plane that could carry an entourage just like President Bush, who flies on Air Force One, and Vice President Dick Cheney, who also always flies on military planes." (Washington Times, 2/7/2007)

A case of contradiction and wasteful government spending? You be the judge.