[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1030
 
         TV EXPOSE REVEALS RIPOFF OF TAXPAYERS BY FAA EMPLOYEES

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, last night, ``Prime Time Live'' carried a 
report about the FAA that I am sure angered everyone who saw it.
  The report told how FAA employees in San Juan have been living in 
luxury hotels and condominiums for months at a time at taxpayer 
expense.
  One family lived in hotel suites costing $360 per day and stayed at 
least 3 months.
  This family, whose last name was Feeny, turned in expense accounts 
for meals totaling over $12,000 for just their first month in Puerto 
Rico, and the FAA paid them.
  Their average claim for food ran to over $300 per day.
  Another employee has claimed, and has been paid, approximately $5,000 
per month for housing in Atlanta for almost a year now, even though he 
remains with the FAA in Puerto Rico.
  An FAA employee who tried to blow the whistle on these padded expense 
accounts has resigned in disgust.
  He says many millions have been spent by the FAA allowing their 
employees to claim and receive these exorbitant and ridiculous 
expenses.
  No employee who has done the things reported by ``Prime Time Live'' 
should be allowed to work for the Government, in any capacity.
  I call on the FAA to fire these employees immediately, and stop this 
taxpayer ripoff right now.
  However, I know that due to our civil service system, nothing will be 
done and abuses like this will continue at the FAA and throughout the 
Federal Government.

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