Haley Stevens: “the current Senate rule requires Members to pay the cost of a first-class plane ticket for travel on a private plane.…”

“the current Senate rule requires Members to pay the cost of a first-class plane ticket for travel on a private plane. The amendment does not substantially reform our lobbying laws, and this amendment will place an undue burden on Members from rural States, at great expense to the taxpayers. Most Members who take private flights do so to complete official business. These flights enable Members from States such as Wyoming, Montana, and my State of Alaska access to rural areas. Our State does not have the infrastructure found in more densely populated States throughout the country. Many of our constituents live in communities that cannot be accessed by road. We need to fly to these remote communities. Despite this rule, or any other rule, these flights are essential and will continue and must continue to take place. This amendment will not provide meaningful reform. It will increase the amount of money Members need from the Treasury to pay for these flights. The taxpayer will foot the bill for the amendment, and the only real change will be more money in the pockets of those who own and operate the private planes. Those representing States with less-developed infrastructure and many geographically remote communities--my friends from other rural States and even some large States such as California--have this problem. It is a unique problem. It is essential to take flights into these rural areas because there are no roads to get there.”