Washington, D.C. – Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) today introduced H.R. 3036, legislation that would bring transparency to the costs of taxpayer-funded overseas travel by members of Congress. Currently, when members of Congress take foreign trips using military aircraft, the costs of those trips are not disclosed. H.R. 3036 would direct the Department of Defense to provide a report on the costs incurred in taking a member of Congress, officer, or employee of Congress on a trip outside of the United States, and require the member of Congress to disclose those costs. These costs would then be publicly reported online.

“While the costs of commercial airline travel are publicly disclosed in reports published in the Congressional Record, the costs of member travel on military-owned aircraft are not,” Congressman Jones said. “When a member of Congress takes a taxpayer-funded overseas trip to a location other than a military base or war zone, the cost of the trip should be publicly available.”

“In the past, members of Congress have used military aircraft even when traveling to exotic locations readily served by commercial airlines. Press reports have indicated that the military even maintains a specially outfitted ‘VIP fleet’ operated out of Andrews Air Force Base, with aircraft that can carry an estimated cost of about $10,000 per hour,” Jones continued. “Requiring public disclosure of the costs of this travel will help ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. With record deficit spending and a national economic downturn, it’s more critical than ever that Congress acts as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”

H.R. 3036 would not apply to any trip for which the sole purpose is to visit one or more U.S. military installations and/or to visit U.S. military personnel in a war zone.

The National Taxpayers Union and Public Citizen’s Congress Watch have both endorsed the legislation.

For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones, please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.