Kendra S. Horn: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 930, the Travel and Transportation Reform Act, was passed by this House in April of 1997. According to…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 930, the Travel and Transportation Reform Act, was passed by this House in April of 1997. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this legislation will save approximately $100 million in discretionary savings over 5 years by making agency travel and transportation systems more efficient. One important change made by the bill deals with the taxes that are levied by State and local governments on Federal travelers. Such taxes can amount to hundreds of dollars per trip. Unofficial OMB estimates are that travelers pay perhaps $350 million in taxes. Agencies should consider using centrally billed credit card accounts and other automated reservation billing and paying systems to avoid such charges. The solution would be best for both the employees and the Federal Government. The Senate made a few changes in H.R. 930. The first change authorized additional exemptions from the requirement that agency personnel use the credit card when traveling on official government business. The other change authorized agencies to pay the interest charge to employees when the agency is late in reimbursing the travel expenses incurred by a particular employee. I think many of us have had that experience. These changes are not controversial. I urge their support by my colleagues.”