Pelosi's Perks

Nancy Pelosi has made a name for herself in her short tenure as Speaker as someone who demands privileges not granted to previous Speakers. Readers might recall how she demanded a larger plane for herself in her first days as Speaker, and also wanted to allow her friends and family to use said plane a they wished.

Now Pelosi has upped the ante in her search for more perks and privileges. According to The Hill newspaper, Pelosi now wants to force the Defense Department to chauffeur her adult children around the world at taxpayer expense. Pelosi attempted to justify her demands by saying,

“It has been longstanding policy that, in the absence of a congressional spouse, the adult child of a member of Congress may accompany the member on official U.S. government travel abroad for protocol reasons and without reimbursing the U.S.
Treasury,” Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami said. “Speaker Pelosi believes that a modern policy must reflect the professional responsibilities or health realities that might prevent a spouse from participating, and instead permit an adult child to fulfill the protocol needs of the official trip.”

Um, no, Madame Speaker. According to the Defense Department, "...the policy is that the Treasury must be reimbursed at commercial rates for children who accompany members on such trips, often called codels." The only exception to this policy is the children of the sitting President, who obviously warrant special treatment due to their standing as targets.

This is another act in a pattern of arrogance from the new Democratic leadership. Apparently they believe that they somehow deserve treatment above and beyond that accorded to all previous members of Congress. And they show the traditional lack of respect for taxpayer money that has been a hallmark of Democrats since the Great Society. The Defense Department should say no to Pelosi's demands, unless the California Democrat is prepared to reimburse taxpayers as has been the policy in the past. Pelosi is a very rich woman- there is no reason for taxpayers to pay for her adult children's travel. if she wants them with her, she can certainly afford to apy for their travel out of her own pocket.