Text 27067, 80 rader
Skriven 2007-02-08 06:10:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: Nancy
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The queen needs a ride....

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PELOSI_PLANE?SITE=7219&SECTION=HO
ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-02-07-20-13-12


Feb 7, 10:06 PM EST


GOP Bristles at Pelosi Plane Request 

By JIM KUHNHENN 
Associated Press Writer
 

 
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans on Wednesday assailed House Speaker Nancy 
Pelosi's request for access to an Air Force transport plane as an 
extravagance, though former Speaker Dennis Hastert flew in a military 
jet as well.

Republicans are taking issue with the size of the plane Pelosi has 
requested. Pelosi had asked for access to a C-32 plane, a military 
version of the Boeing 757-200.

A Defense Department spokesman said Wednesday that the Pentagon informed 
Pelosi's staff that she would be provided with a plane but that its size 
would be based on availability.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Pentagon agreed to 
provide the House speaker, who is second in the line of presidential 
succession, with a military plane for added security during trips back 
home.

Hastert, an Illinois Republican, flew in a small commuter-sized jet. 
Pelosi and her aides say that because her congressional district is in 
California, her security would require a larger plane that can fly coast 
to coast without refueling.

"It's not a question of size, it's a question of distance," Pelosi said 
Wednesday. "We want an aircraft that can reach California."

Navy Cmdr. Jefrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman, said Wednesday that 
Pelosi would be offered "shuttle service for no more than 10 passengers 
between Washington and San Francisco only based on aircraft 
availability."

"This does not guarantee nonstop transport," Gordon said.

Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida, the No. 3 Republican leader, said he 
supported the tradition of House speakers having access to secure 
airplanes with secure communications in the post-9/11 era, because of 
their spot in the presidential line of succession.

But he called Pelosi's desire for a large transport "an extravagance of 
power that the taxpayers won't swallow."

Some Republicans have argued that Pelosi could use the larger plane to 
offer trips to top political donors as a reward for their contributions. 
The guidelines provided by the Pentagon say Pelosi could be accompanied 
by family members, provided they pay the government coach fare. The 
plane could not be used for travel to political events.

"It's important we see what the specific request was," Putnam said.

Asked about the flap, White House spokesman Tony Snow on Wednesday noted 
that after the 2001 suicide hijackings the Pentagon, with White House 
consent, agreed to provide military transport to the speaker of the 
House.

"What is going on is that the Department of Defense is going through its 
rules and regulations and having conversations with the speaker about 
it," he said. "So Speaker Hastert had access to military aircraft and 
Speaker Pelosi will, too."


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