Boehner Pledges to Fly Commercial

Previously Republicans have attacked Nancy Pelosi and her use of an air-force jet for travel between Washington and her home district in California - not because of the use of the jet itself, but for the size and lavishness of the supposed jet requested.  In early 2007, due to security risks cited by the House sergeant-at-arms, there was discussion about "upgrading" the jet used for Speaker travel, to allow Speaker Pelosi to make it between DC and California non-stop.  The jet used by the previous speaker, a govt version of a Gulfstream jet, sat 12.  The jet apparently requested at the time was a govt version of a 757-200 with seating for 45 in business class, along with a stateroom, conference center, communications center...  Basically the type of aircraft used by the First Lady and the Vice President.  For full details on the debate in 2007, click here. For the snopes.com review of this debate, click here.

Recently, as John Boehner prepares to assume the role of Speaker of the House, there has been renewed discussion on Speaker travel.  Here's Boehner's stance on it:



While Boehner's position is in line with the government fiscal responsibility position he and other Republicans have been talking about, his stance of continuing to fly commercial from Washington to his home district may be more show than substance.

The fact of the matter is that the Speaker of the House sits right behind the Vice-President in terms of succession.  I can't imagine this country, post-9/11, allowing such a high-ranking elected official traveling commercial on a regular basis, especially when on official business.  Security protocol shouldn't allow it.  In fact, even the Bush White House, when presented with the debate in 2007 over Pelosi's use of military aircraft commented:

"As Speaker of the House, she is entitled to military transport and... We think it's appropriate. And, so, again, I think this is much ado about not a whole lot.  It is important for the Speaker to have this kind of protection and travel," said White House spokesman Tony Snow, at the time.

I would guess that, given a little time, this pledge of commercial flight will morph into only applicable to "personal" flight.  The future speaker seems to leave the purpose of the travel he references out of his comments.  For government business, it would make a lot of sense to have him travel on military aircraft. 

Plus, I'm sure Boehner would prefer not to be felt up everytime he heads to and returns from Ohio.