Jet

The House has approved $550 Million for the purchase of three Gulfstream Vs and five Boeing 737s (two of which are currently leased) by the Department of Defense.

The planes augment a fleet of about two dozen passenger jets maintained by the Air Force for lawmakers, administration officials and military chiefs to fly on government trips in the U.S. and abroad.

Lawmakers typically fly on military jets, where members of the Armed Services carry bags and take drink orders. When flying on military jets, lawmakers are permitted to bring along spouses at no cost.

The 737s are meant to be an "office in the sky" and are fitted with all first-class leather seats, worktables, two large galleys for cooking and a "distinguished visitor compartment with sleep accommodations."

Can you say junket?

I say phuket!

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

A House spokesperson tried to justify the additional expenditure with, "Congress's normal oversight responsibility" to make sure "the troops have everything they need."