Report Shows Nancy Pelosi Abused Military Plane Privileges

An analysis of e-mail exchanges between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) office and the Pentagon shows that Pelosi aggressively abused her privilege as Speaker to travel on military aircraft, according to the conservative legal group Judicial Watch. The group obtained the e-mails through a Freedom of Information Act request. The correspondence shows that Pelosi made repeated requests for military aircraft, over and above what the military considered necessary, frequently cancelled arrangements at the last minute, and through her staff was abusive to Pentagon employees seeking to meet her demands.

In one e-mail, a Pelosi aide expresses outrage at being informed that a request for a specific plane cannot be met. "It is my understanding that there are no [Gulfstream] G5s available for the House during the Memorial Day recess," the staffer complained. "This is totally unacceptable...The Speaker will want to know where the planes are." In another e-mail, a Pelosi aide again complains that a particular type of aircraft is not available. "This is not good news and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset Speaker."

Meanwhile, the military was straining to meet Pelosi's demands. Internal Pentagon e-mails obtained along with the Pelosi communications show an exasperated and frustrated staff. Military affairs officers griped at the "hidden costs" and personnel inconveniences associated with Pelosi's frequent cancellations. "We have...folks prepping the jets and crews driving in (not a short drive for some), cooking meals and pre-flighting the jets, etc," complains one. Another asks if Pelosi really requires all of the travel days she had booked. "Any chance of politely querying if [Pelosi] really intends to do all of these or are they just picking every weekend?"

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After the September 11th terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush extended the use of military aircraft to Congressional leaders for security purposes as part of a review of the government's continuity plans. Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) was the first to use the privilege, traveling to his suburban Chicago district on a small commuter jet provided by the Air Force. Pelosi took fire after becoming Speaker in 2007 for requesting a 42-seat luxury jet for her travel between Washington and her San Francisco district.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fenton said the report shows Pelosi's callous disregard for the consequences of her multiple requests and cancellations of military aircraft.

"Taken together, these documents show that Speaker Pelosi treats the Air Force like her personal airline. Not only does Speaker Pelosi issue unreasonable requests for military travel, but her office seems unconcerned about wasting taxpayer money with last minute cancellations and other demands."

Pelosi is rightly afforded the privilege of secure travel through the Pentagon. As Speaker of the House, she is third in the line of presidential succession. However, she and her staff should endeavor to remember that it is a privilege of her high station, not an entitlement. And they should consider that there are a lot if good people in the Pentagon working very hard to make her travel plans convenient and comfortable.




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