by Emily Johnson

Created on: January 08, 2009

The drama which unfolded in December when Members of Congress castigated auto industry CEO's for flying corporate jets to Washington was spectacular. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) stole the show when he asked CEO's if they would be willing to sell their private jets the next day and fly back to Detroit commercial. "Let the record show no hands went up," said Sherman. When Oscar nominees are announced on January 22, look for his name.

The hypocrisy was mind-boggling. Members of Congress routinely fly on corporate sponsored trips with, yes, the corporate owned private jets. In response to the Abramoff mess, during the 110th Congress the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct substantially revised the rules governing congressional travel. Remember Tom Delay and Jack Abramoff's golf junket to Scotland? The public demanded reform and so Congress got to work.

The guidelines for allowing private sources to pay for congressional travel now state: "The fundamental requirement of the travel provisions of the gift rule is that the subject matter of the trip must be related to the official duties of the participating Member, officer, or employee. Among the travel purposes that may be proper under this provision are attendance at a meeting or a speaking engagement, or participation in a fact-finding trip (House Rule 25, clause 5(b)(1)(A))." (http://ethics.house.gov/Subjects/Topics.aspx?Sectio n=96).

What's changed? There is a new rule requiring Committee approval of any privately sponsored trip. While that's arguably progress, the Congress's record of policing itself isn't exactly stellar and trading favors is still the name of the political game. House ethics rules no longer allow lobbyists to pay for congressional travel, but do allow private entities to "sponsor" congressional travel. While the lobbyists aren't allowed to fly along, others can. Another change requires the Member to find a way to connect the trip with his/her officials duties, like being invited to Grand Cayman to deliver a keynote address on NAFTA. Abramoff would no longer be able to pay for the entire trip, but with creative paperwork and word-smithing a Member with questionable ethics would still be able to swing a luxury trip that is practically free. Airfare, 1-2 nights lodging and a few meals during days 1-2 are still legal. Also, there's nothing precluding this Congressman from bring his/her spouse (with reimbursement to the corporation of, say, $225 for her "airfare" on the private jet) and staying

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