It'll Never Get Off the Ground: Congress to Fly Coach?

[Yerf Dog]

Jet-set grounded: Turbulence ahead for members of Congress flying first class

A bipartisan group of Congressmen introduced a bill Monday that would stop costly first-class flights by lawmakers at taxpayer expense and force representatives and senators to fly coach.

“As representatives of the American people, we in Congress have a responsibility to wisely use the people’s money,” said Rep. Walter Jones, a North Carolina Republican, in a statement. “Members of the House and Senate should never secure their own luxury travel at taxpayer expense, but they especially should not do so when our nation is buried $17 trillion deep in debt.”

H.R. 4632, known as the “If Our Military Has to Fly Coach Then So Should Congress Act,” sets the same limits on congressional trips that govern most other government travel: Members and their staff cannot use taxpayer funds to buy first-class tickets unless they need to accommodate a disability or other medical need.

“Members of Congress are public servants and should not receive special privileges at the expense of hard working taxpayers,” said Rep. Raul Ruiz, a California Democrat. “It’s wrong that members of Congress can purchase luxury airfare with taxpayer money when many families in my district and across the county are struggling to make ends meet.”
Arizona Republican Paul Gosar and Georgia Democrat John Barrow also co-sponsored the bill.

An investigation last year by The Washington Times found that Congress spends between $6 million and $10 million each year on overseas trips alone, which doesn't include the transportation lawmakers take between Washington and their home districts. Nor does it include privately funded gift trips members often receive from advocacy groups.

Fat-cat fliers: Bipartisan group of lawmakers wants Congress to stop flying first-class - Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/12/fat-cat-fliers-bipartisan-group-lawmakers-want-con/)

:skia:

[VatorMan]

That will pass the same time that they vote to use Obama care for themselves.

[Bill]

If I held elective office, I would always fly coach. You don't think word would spread through the plane.....hey, Bill flies coach. That would make me look more like a man of the people, regardless of my political leanings.

[VITE1]

They are better than us and they will keep feeding at the trough as long as we keep letting them.


And Flying Coach sucks. I try for upgrades whenever I fly and will BUY my OWN BC tickets when I go International. But then again it's MY money ( except to the Brain dead Liberals)

[Kevin_73]

As I recall, members of congress have their own private health insurance plan, their own private bank, and they also get paid their salary for life (even after they quit or are voted out of office).
Making them fly coach would be a nice start, but there are a lot of other luxuries that need to be eliminated too.

[onedef92]

They are better than us and they will keep feeding at the troth as long as we keep letting them.


And Flying Coach sucks. I try for upgrades whenever I fly and will BUY my OWN BC tickets when I go International. But then again it's MY money ( except to the Brain dead Liberals)

It's "trough" but point taken and :iagree:

[VITE1]

It's "trough" but point taken and :iagree:

:seasix::shots:

Fixed Thanks.

[onedef92]

As I recall, members of congress have their own private health insurance plan, their own private bank, and they also get paid their salary for life (even after they quit or are voted out of office).
Making them fly coach would be a nice start, but there are a lot of other luxuries that need to be eliminated too.


What Kind of Benefits Does Congress Really Get?

They're far less lavish than critics claim

by Phil Scott, From the AARP Bulletin Print Edition, December 15, 2010


During the recession, as Americans saw their 401(k)s sink and their Social Security benefits questioned, many were quick to comment: "Why should members of Congress care? They get pensions for life."

And when the health care debate heated up, some felt the discussion might have been different if members of Congress didn't have such a cushy deal for their own medical coverage.

Tales of extravagant congressional pensions abound on websites and in e-mail chains. Typical is this one, posted to CNN's AMFix blog in March: "Many citizens had no idea that Congress members could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security."

Not exactly true. Congressional retirement and health care benefits are indeed generous by the standards of many workers, but far less lavish than critics claim.

For the most part, benefits for Congress are similar to those of any federal employee, although there are differences.

How their retirement plan works

Nearly all Congress members are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System. The FERS retirement plan has three parts:

•Social Security. Members of Congress have Social Security taxes withheld from their pay like other workers, and are eligible for retirement benefits beginning at age 62.

Before 1984, members of Congress were covered by the old Civil Service Retirement System and were not required to pay into Social Security — nor could they get a Social Security benefit. But at present, all members of Congress must pay into Social Security, including nearly 50 currently serving members who were first elected before 1984.

•A pension benefit. People on the federal payroll, including members of Congress, receive a traditional "defined benefit" pension, something that is available to only a small percentage of private-sector workers.

According to the Congressional Research Service, in October 2006 the average annual pension for a retired member of Congress who served under FERS was $35,952, compared with the current $174,000 salary for active members.

(Members of Congress won't be affected by President Obama's proposal for a pay freeze for federal employees — Congress sets its own pay scales separately, and in 2009 and 2010 voted to forgo its usually automatic annual pay increases.)

A member who leaves office before serving five years because of an election defeat or resignation is not eligible for a pension. And any member who is convicted of a crime such as bribery, fraud, racketeering or perjury for acts committed after September 2007 is ineligible.

But, on grounds that working in Congress means uncertain job security, elected members and their staffs receive a larger retirement benefit from FERS for each year of service than other federal employees. They also become eligible for a retirement annuity at a younger age and with fewer years of service.

In return, they contribute a higher percentage of their pay to participate in FERS — 1.3 percent instead of 0.8 percent for most workers. As in the private sector, the bulk of the retirement benefit's cost is picked up by the employer, in this case, the U.S. government.

Members of Congress can begin drawing their full pension at age 62 if they have completed five years of service, at age 50 with 20 years' service, or at any age with 25 years' service. They can collect a reduced pension with 10 years of service at ages 55 to 57, depending on their birth year.


•The Thrift Savings Plan. This is a "defined contribution" plan available to all federal employees and similar to the 401(k) plans common in the private sector. There's a difference: Whether or not the employee chooses to save anything, the government contributes 1 percent of base pay to the savings plan.


How their health care plan works

Members of Congress participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program along with about 8 million federal workers, retirees and their dependents. They are subject to the same rules and receive the same coverage. Compared with health plans offered by private employers, the FEHBP offers more choices — in fact, "the widest selection of health plans in the country," according to the Office of Personnel Management.

Congress members are also eligible for Medicare, and pay the same 1.45 percent tax on their salary as do other workers.

A few extras

Congress members do receive some medical benefits beyond those available to regular federal workers.

For an annual payment of $503, members can receive routine care from the Office of the Attending Physician, which has facilities in the Capitol. ABC News reported last year that these services include physicals and other examinations, on-site X-rays and lab work, physical therapy and referrals to medical specialists.

In addition, current members (but not their dependents) can receive medical and emergency dental care at military hospitals and clinics. Inpatient care is covered by FEHBP insurance, but outpatient care is free if it's performed at facilities in the national capital region, such as Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland or Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District of Columbia.

This benefit is likely the source of persistent online rumors that all medical care is free for Congress members.

What Kind of Retirement, Health Care Benefits Does Congress Really Get... - AARP (http://www.aarp.org/work/employee-benefits/info-12-2010/benefits_what_does_congress_really_get.2.html)

[Kevin_73]

What Kind of Benefits Does Congress Really Get?

They're far less lavish than critics claim

by Phil Scott, From the AARP Bulletin Print Edition, December 15, 2010


During the recession, as Americans saw their 401(k)s sink and their Social Security benefits questioned, many were quick to comment: "Why should members of Congress care? They get pensions for life."

And when the health care debate heated up, some felt the discussion might have been different if members of Congress didn't have such a cushy deal for their own medical coverage.

Tales of extravagant congressional pensions abound on websites and in e-mail chains. Typical is this one, posted to CNN's AMFix blog in March: "Many citizens had no idea that Congress members could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security."

Not exactly true. Congressional retirement and health care benefits are indeed generous by the standards of many workers, but far less lavish than critics claim.

For the most part, benefits for Congress are similar to those of any federal employee, although there are differences.

How their retirement plan works

Nearly all Congress members are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System. The FERS retirement plan has three parts:

•Social Security. Members of Congress have Social Security taxes withheld from their pay like other workers, and are eligible for retirement benefits beginning at age 62.

Before 1984, members of Congress were covered by the old Civil Service Retirement System and were not required to pay into Social Security — nor could they get a Social Security benefit. But at present, all members of Congress must pay into Social Security, including nearly 50 currently serving members who were first elected before 1984.

•A pension benefit. People on the federal payroll, including members of Congress, receive a traditional "defined benefit" pension, something that is available to only a small percentage of private-sector workers.

According to the Congressional Research Service, in October 2006 the average annual pension for a retired member of Congress who served under FERS was $35,952, compared with the current $174,000 salary for active members.

(Members of Congress won't be affected by President Obama's proposal for a pay freeze for federal employees — Congress sets its own pay scales separately, and in 2009 and 2010 voted to forgo its usually automatic annual pay increases.)

A member who leaves office before serving five years because of an election defeat or resignation is not eligible for a pension. And any member who is convicted of a crime such as bribery, fraud, racketeering or perjury for acts committed after September 2007 is ineligible.

But, on grounds that working in Congress means uncertain job security, elected members and their staffs receive a larger retirement benefit from FERS for each year of service than other federal employees. They also become eligible for a retirement annuity at a younger age and with fewer years of service.

In return, they contribute a higher percentage of their pay to participate in FERS — 1.3 percent instead of 0.8 percent for most workers. As in the private sector, the bulk of the retirement benefit's cost is picked up by the employer, in this case, the U.S. government.

Members of Congress can begin drawing their full pension at age 62 if they have completed five years of service, at age 50 with 20 years' service, or at any age with 25 years' service. They can collect a reduced pension with 10 years of service at ages 55 to 57, depending on their birth year.


•The Thrift Savings Plan. This is a "defined contribution" plan available to all federal employees and similar to the 401(k) plans common in the private sector. There's a difference: Whether or not the employee chooses to save anything, the government contributes 1 percent of base pay to the savings plan.


How their health care plan works

Members of Congress participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program along with about 8 million federal workers, retirees and their dependents. They are subject to the same rules and receive the same coverage. Compared with health plans offered by private employers, the FEHBP offers more choices — in fact, "the widest selection of health plans in the country," according to the Office of Personnel Management.

Congress members are also eligible for Medicare, and pay the same 1.45 percent tax on their salary as do other workers.

A few extras

Congress members do receive some medical benefits beyond those available to regular federal workers.

For an annual payment of $503, members can receive routine care from the Office of the Attending Physician, which has facilities in the Capitol. ABC News reported last year that these services include physicals and other examinations, on-site X-rays and lab work, physical therapy and referrals to medical specialists.

In addition, current members (but not their dependents) can receive medical and emergency dental care at military hospitals and clinics. Inpatient care is covered by FEHBP insurance, but outpatient care is free if it's performed at facilities in the national capital region, such as Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland or Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District of Columbia.

This benefit is likely the source of persistent online rumors that all medical care is free for Congress members.

What Kind of Retirement, Health Care Benefits Does Congress Really Get... - AARP (http://www.aarp.org/work/employee-benefits/info-12-2010/benefits_what_does_congress_really_get.2.html)

:cert:

Well those bastards still shouldn't get to fly first class. :cuss:

:lol:

[The_Dude]

I thought this was going to be about a treadmill.

[BigJoe]

Years ago I was flying back to Chicago from DC in my normal coach window seat. A tiny lady got into the middle seat and immediately people started stopping and talking to her. Turns out she was one of the Senators from Kansas on the way home... In coach, in the middle seat no less. I was impressed with her fugality if nothing else. She wasn't very talkative, hardly saying a word on the whole flight.

Maybe times have changed...

[73sbVert]

McCain flies in coach all the time too.

[Truck Guy]

I'm flying home tomorrow from a meeting in Orlando...First class :leaving:
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:D Thank God for upgrades :lol:

[snide]

I'm flying home tomorrow from a meeting in Orlando...First class :leaving:
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:D Thank God for upgrades :lol:

I used to fly Continental and Northwest. Quite frequently got upgrades. Then they started using the regional jets which I don't fit in. Now those airlines don't exist anymore.

[LATB]

...but there are a lot of other luxuries that need to be eliminated too.

For many of them it could include O2

[Stangkiller]

For many of them it could include O2

That's a good point....why stop at coach, maybe they should fly unpressurized...and try to legislate themselves some more air.