May 16, 2008 8:33 pm US/Eastern
Some Congressmen Get A Free Ride
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
With gasoline prices soaring to the $4 a gallon mark, all kinds of proposals have started floating around Congress about what to do about fuel costs.
KDKA's Paul Martino is taking a look at what the members of Congress are doing about the cost of gas on a personal level.
When members of Congress travel back and forth to Washington D.C. some do it behind the wheel of gas-guzzling SUVs and luxury car, which taxpayers foot the bill for.
According to The New York Times, Congressman Charles Rangle is among the worst. He drives a Cadillac Seville. Taxpayers foot the $800 a month lease, plus mileage, which, right now, is 50.5 cents a mile for the government rate.
Congressman Jason Altmire says it is the kind of practice that outrages him.
"I just think it's bad for the taxpayer," says Altmire. "To be charging that back is a disgrace."
At a recent news conference on gasoline prices, Altmire arrived with two aides crammed into a Pontiac G6. When traveling to D.C., Altmire says he drives his own Chrysler Sebring and bills for mileage.
Congressman Phil English, of Erie, also drives his own car, a Dodge Charger, and also bills for mileage. Last year, when the IRS rate was 48 cents a mile, taxpayers paid nearly $11,000 for English's trips.
Congressman Mike Doyle, of Forest Hills, has probably the best deal around for taxpayers. He says he drives his own car to D.C., and does not charge taxpayers for the mileage.
But Congressman Jack Murtha, of Johnstown, has one of the most expensive and unusual driving deals.
Murtha has a two-year lease on a 2007 Buick Lucerne for travel in the district at $546-a-month. He charges taxpayers the mileage, which costs $2264 last year. But when he goes to D.C. Murtha drives his own car, also a leased Lucerne and doesn't charge for gas.
Meanwhile, Congressman Tim Murphy, of Mount Lebanon, continues a habit he started when he served in the State Senate.
He drives his own car to and from D.C., and last year charged taxpayers about $2,800 for gasoline. Still he says he is reluctant to criticize those who charge taxpayers for expensive leases.
Congressman Altmire, meantime, says he supports a new rule in the house that requires members to lease cars that are on a list of low-emission vehicles approved by the EPA. However, the new rule is taking a while to go into effect.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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