John Boehner eases CODEL restrictions

[Tx4obama]

John Boehner eases CODEL restrictions

House Speaker John Boehner is easing his restrictions on the use of military aircraft for congressional delegation trips, often called codels, a spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

Instead of an outright ban, requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis — but will continue to be limited.

The ban, put in place last year to reduce spending and ease the burden on the military’s air assets in the wake of sequestration, was causing friction between the Republican leader and senior members of the House Armed Services Committee.

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For McKeon, the easing of the restrictions means he and other committee members can go back to doing what he sees as a vital part of the panel’s mission: visiting service members abroad and sitting down with foreign leaders.

“This year we’re going to be able to go visit a lot of the leaders around the world,” he said on Thursday.

Full article here: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/john-boehner-codel-restrictions-102282.html?hp=l14

I think it is ridiculous that congressfolks fly all over the world on taxpayer money to schmooze with foreign leaders and spend time in villas and go to 'business' meetings while staying at luxury beach resorts, etc. and having all of their hotel/food/travel paid for.
They are supposed to be in D.C. representing the people of their 'states', not going overseas to represent our nation - that's what we have President Obama, VP Biden, and the SoS for. /end of rant.

[MADem]

1. They LOVE those CODELS. And they LOVE the VIP military aircraft.

I've never sat in such comfortable seats in my life (the ones they put in there for the Big Wigs are nothing short of superb--like living room furniture--only nicer!).

I can promise you that base commanders in "nice" places to visit, like Germany/Spain/Italy/UK/Bahrain (for the gold shopping, you see) aren't looking forward to more CODEL opportunities. They distract from the mission at a time when people are trying to spend every cent they have left because if they don't, they'll get LESS the following year. No motivation to save.

And yes, they always get great meals, at least one at a high end restaurant in the country where they are visiting; their quarters are either five star hotels or VIP quarters on base, and they always have a community (read tourist/recreational) opportunity, or "terrain appreciation" (golf).