More hard times ahead - no more heated towelettes for our nation's
legislators: "International travel will be restricted to instances
where it will be 'necessary to facilitate the work of the Committee'
in question, according to a press release from the Speaker's office.
Spouses of members and staffers will have to pay their own way and
will only be allowed to travel when it is necessary for 'protocol
purposes.' A representative's personal staff will also be barred from
traveling internationally. House members and staffers will have to fly
coach for flights under 14 hours. According to the release, these
restrictions will bring the House in line with regulations established
by the Department of Defense. Most flights will also have to be
commercial -- military transports will be restricted."