[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      FREQUENT FLYER MILES REFORM

  (Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, we had a good start to our legislative session yesterday 
when we passed the Congressional Accountability Act, but we missed an 
important opportunity because we did not pass the important ban on 
personal use of frequent flyer miles. Now why did we not pass this 
important ban?
  Well, several weeks ago the new incoming Speaker, Newt Gingrich, said 
this is a Mickey Mouse issue. Well, the new Speaker is correct drawing 
on Walt Disney for some of his analogies, but he is choosing the wrong 
character. The character he should be choosing is Goofy because it is 
just downright goofy for anyone to suggest that elected Members of 
Congress can use frequent flyer miles that are paid for by taxpayers to 
take vacations around this country or even overseas. The American 
people want reform, but they do not want the Members of this House to 
use frequent flyer miles for their own vacations.
  Mr. Speaker, if new Members are interested in reform in this House, 
this is a reform that should take place, and it should take place 
immediately. I yield back the balance of my time.


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