Representative Angie Craig Introduces Legislation Banning Members of Congress from Using Taxpayer Dollars for First-Class Airfare

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig is introducing legislation banning Members of Congress from flying first-class on taxpayer-funded travel. There is currently no prohibition on elected officials using taxpayer funds to purchase unnecessary and highly expensive upgrades when flying on official business. Craig's bill, the No Tax Dollars for First-Class Flights Act, would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for the purchase of anything other than coach-class airline tickets for Members flying to and from Washington.

"Serving your community in Congress is a privilege – but taxpayers should not foot the bill for special privileges or perks. Especially today, when Americans all across the country are cutting costs and tightening their belts, Members of Congress have no business using taxpayer funds to fly first-class," said Representative Craig. "I am proud to introduce this long-overdue reform to cut down on waste and ensure that elected officials are working only to serve their communities."

Since she was elected, Representative Craig has worked to conserve taxpayer funds and ensure that Members of Congress are unable to abuse their office for personal or professional gain. Craig has recently led the effort to ban stock trading for sitting Members of Congress – and introduced legislation to impose a lifetime ban on Members working as registered lobbyists after their time in office. In 2019, she introduced an amendment to the annual spending bill blocking House Democrats from enacting a pay raise for Members of Congress. Craig also introduced and enacted into law the Payment Integrity Information Act, which helps to address improper and wasteful payments that totaled more than $175 billion in 2019 alone.

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