Sunday, March 12, 2006
Congressional Car Leases Fleece Taxpayers
When it comes to socking taxpayers with the tab for a leased car, Rep. Mike Ross is the most expensive member of Congress – the Arkansas Democrat’s Ford Expedition costs $1,248 a month.
Rep. Howard McKeon, Republican from California, is close behind – his Acura costs $1,231 a month – and Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Democrat from California, spends $1,227 on a Chevrolet truck.
Two Democrats from New York ride in style. Rep. Gregory Meeks’ Lexus costs $1,062 a month, and Rep. Charles Rangel tools around in a $998-a-month Cadillac DeVille.
Another New York congressman, Democrat Anthony Weiner, is near the other end of the scale – his Chevy Impala costs only $219 a month, according to a Knight-Ridder study.
Rep. John Carter, a Republican from Texas, is low man at $210 a month.
But some congressmen don’t use any public funds allotted to their budget to pay for a car, and members of the Senate are forbidden to do so.
When it comes to socking taxpayers with the tab for a leased car, Rep. Mike Ross is the most expensive member of Congress – the Arkansas Democrat’s Ford Expedition costs $1,248 a month.
Rep. Howard McKeon, Republican from California, is close behind – his Acura costs $1,231 a month – and Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Democrat from California, spends $1,227 on a Chevrolet truck.
Two Democrats from New York ride in style. Rep. Gregory Meeks’ Lexus costs $1,062 a month, and Rep. Charles Rangel tools around in a $998-a-month Cadillac DeVille.
Another New York congressman, Democrat Anthony Weiner, is near the other end of the scale – his Chevy Impala costs only $219 a month, according to a Knight-Ridder study.
Rep. John Carter, a Republican from Texas, is low man at $210 a month.
But some congressmen don’t use any public funds allotted to their budget to pay for a car, and members of the Senate are forbidden to do so.
