House approves jets for officials

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved almost $200 million for three private jets to be used by Congress members and government officials.

Roll Call reported the Air Force initially requested the purchase of one Gulfstream jet costing $65 million, but the House Appropriations Committee added $132 million for two more planes.

The Gulfstream version the military buys is scaled down for the government with modest accommodations; it is not the luxury version sold to private customers, said a source knowledgeable about the planes, the newspaper reported.

Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said the airplanes show a trend for the committee to determine that expensive items are program increases, not earmarks, so they require less public disclosure.

"The more that you push for transparency, the more of this stuff goes underneath the carpet," Ellis said.

Military analysts said the private planes may be worth the price because of their efficiency and the security they afford public officials, the newspaper reported.