With lobbying reformitis in full swing on Capitol Hill, the Houston Chronicle has trotted out the latest stats for lawmaker travel expenses. The Chronicle points out, as others have in the past, that the figures compiled by Congress calculate only meals and lodging for trips by congressional delegations—or “codels” in Hill-speak. The big-ticket item—airfare—never shows up. Why? Because Codels fly military air. According to the Air Force, flying a lawmaker on the military equivalent of a Boeing 737 or 757 airliner costs more than $21,000 per hour.
Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds took charge of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa on Oct. 31, one day after being confirmed for the post by the Senate.
