SWAMP FLYERS Act: Banning Political Appointees From Using Taxpayer Dollars on Chartered Flights For Business Travel (H.R. 3876)

What is H.R. 3876?

(Updated January 13, 2020)

This bill — known as the SWAMP FLYERS Act — would prohibit federal funds from being used to pay the official business travel expenses of any senior political appointee who uses a non-commercial, private, or chartered flight. Exceptions would be made if no commercial flight was available for the travel in question, or for any travel on aircraft owned or leased by the government. The traveler would have to certify that to Congress under penalty of perjury.

The bill’s full title is the Stop Waste And Misuse by Presidential Flyers Landing Yet Evading Rules and Standards Act.

Argument in favor

Taxpayers shouldn’t have the foot the bill for political appointees flying around the country on chartered, private jets unless there are truly no alternatives. This bill would put a permanent stop to wasteful travel practices by senior officials.

Argument opposed

While this bill wisely provides some exceptions to the outright ban, like if there’s no commercial flights to a cabinet member’s destination, on balance it’ll make it harder for senior political officials to travel for work.

Impact

Senior political officials; taxpayers; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 3876

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced this bill to prohibit taxpayer funds from being used on official travel via private jets by senior political appointees:

“I can't believe we have to introduce a bill like this, but multiple Trump cabinet officials apparently believe taxpayer funds can be used for personal travel benefits.  This culture of corruption in the Trump Administration must stop. Secretaries Price and Mnuchin, and Administrator Pruitt owe the American people an apology, and they should pay back the costs of their luxury travel on the taxpayer's dime.  Since Secretary Price's actions are so egregious, he should resign immediately. The Trump Administration has already enlarged the swamp, but the tremendous disrespect shown to taxpayers by these senior officials is ridiculous. SAD!”

This legislation has the support of nine cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Democrats.

Of Note: Several members of the Trump administration have come under fire for using private, chartered flights that incurred a significant cost to taxpayers and resulted in the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) Press Release
  
• Countable
  
• The Hill