Jones Calls On Agencies To Disclose Luxury Travel Costs | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Washington, D.C.     Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is calling on three federal agencies to disclose their taxpayer-funded luxury travel expenses. Federal regulations require executive agencies to report annually to the General Service Administration any use of travel accommodations other than coach class. However, the Small Business Administration has failed to report this information for the past five years, the Department of Agriculture has failed to report for the past four years, and the National Aeronautics and Space administration (NASA) did not file a report in 2012.

    Congressman Jones penned a letter to the inspector general of each of these agencies, inquiring why the luxury travel costs have not been disclosed and when the missing information will be reported.

    "The American people have a right to know how their money is being used," said Congressman Jones. "Tax dollars pay for the travel of all federal agencies, and the government should spend that money wisely – especially at a time when our nation is over $17 trillion in debt. The luxury travel reporting requirement improves accountability and transparency and should be strictly followed."

    Congressman Jones is a longtime advocate for the responsible use of taxpayer money and has repeatedly introduced measures that would bring transparency to the cost of taxpayer-funded travel.

    Congressman Jones' letters can be viewed at the following links:

    Department of Agriculture
    Small Business Administration
    NASA


    Sarah Howard
      Communications Director

    Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)

     2333 Rayburn House Office Building
     Washington, DC 20515

     sarah.howard@mail.house.gov  •  (202) 225-3415