Zoe Lofgren: “this partisan amendment is overtly aimed at the First Lady of the United States and no one else. Now candidates in…”

“this partisan amendment is overtly aimed at the First Lady of the United States and no one else. Now candidates in Government planes pay back the Government for any part of their travel which is campaign related. If a candidate has to be guarded by the Secret Service, the FEC accommodates that in the cost calculation. That is the right thing to do. A democratic Nation requires physical safety for public officials, and by the way, keeping the First Family safe benefits us all. This dangerous amendment also violates the Constitution's equal protection clause. Federal candidates who are not officeholders would pay, but not candidates who are already elected. Mr. Chairman, that is a brand-new loophole for the in-crowd. The effect would be to repeal the repayment rule, but only for those already elected to a federal office. It could benefit every Member of this House, but not those who challenge us. This amendment creates special protections for federal officeholders that singles out the First Lady for bad treatment. It is bad policy, it is unconstitutional, it is petty, and it is unchivalrous. It deserves to be voted down.”