Cost to Taxpayers for Use of Government-Owned Airplanes

The President of the United States and the Vice President are not the only non-military U.S. government officials who regularly fly on aircraft (Air Force One and Two) owned and operated by the U.S. government at the cost of taxpayers. The U.S. Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) not only fly - for business and pleasure -- on aircraft owned and operated by the Department of Justice; they are required to do so by executive branch policy. Background: The Justice Department Air Force According to a recent report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Department of Justice (DOJ) owns, leases and operates a fleet of airplanes and helicopters used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Marshals Service (USMS). While many of the DOJs aircraft, including a growing number of unmanned drones, are used for counterterrorism and criminal surveillance, drug smuggling interdiction, and transporting prisoners, other aircraft are used to transport certain executives of the various DOJ agencies for official and personal travel. According to the GAO, the U.S. Marshals Service currently operates 12 aircraft primarily for air surveillance and prisoner transportThe FBI primarily uses its aircraft for mission operations but also operates a small fleet of large-cabin, long-range business jets, including two Gulfstream Vs, for both mission and nonmission travel. These aircraft possess long-range capabilities that enable FBI to conduct long-distance domestic and international flights without the need to stop for refueling. According to the FBI, the DOJ rarely authorizes the use of the Gulfstream Vs for nonmission travel, except for travel by the Attorney General and FBI Director. Who Flies and Why? Travel aboard the DOJs aircraft can be for mission-required purposes or for nonmission purposes - personal travel.Requirements for the use of government aircraft by the federal agencies for travel are established and enforced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA). Under these requirements, most agency personnel who make personal, nonmission, flights on government aircraft must reimburse the government for the use of the aircraft. But Two Executives Can Always Use Government Aircraft According to the GAO, two DOJ executives, the U.S. Attorney General and the FBI Director, are designated by the President of the United States as required use travelers, meaning they are authorized to travel aboard DOJ or other government aircraft regardless of their trip purpose, including personal travel.Why? Even when they travel for personal reasons, the Attorney General -- seventh in the line of presidential succession -- and the FBI Director are required to have special protective services and secure communications while in flight. The presence of top-level government executives and their security details on regular commercial aircraft would be disruptive and increase the potential risk to other passengers.However, DOJ officials told the GAO that until 2011, the FBI Director, unlike the Attorney General, was allowed the discretion to use commercial air service for his personal travel.The Attorney General and the FBI Director are required to reimburse the government for any trav el made aboard government aircraft for personal or political reasons.br/>Other agencies are allowed to designate required use travelers on a trip-by-trip basis. How Much Does It Cost Taxpayers? The GAOs investigation found that from fiscal years 2007 through 2011, three U.S. Attorneys General -- Alberto Gonzales, Michael Mukasey and Eric Holder - and FBI Director Robert Mueller made 95% (659 out of 697 flights) of all Department of Justice nonmission-related flights aboard government aircraft at a total cost of $11.4 million.Specifically, notes the GAO, the AG and FBI Director collectively took 74 percent (490 out of 659) of all of their flights for business purposes, such as conferences, meetings, and field office visits; 24 percent (158 out of 659) for personal reasons; and 2 percent (11 out of 659) for a combination of business and personal reasons.According to the DOJ and FBI data reviewed by the GAO, the Attorneys General and the FBI Director fully reimbursed the government for flights made on government aircraft for personal reasons.Of the $11.4 million spent from 2007 through 2011, for flights taken by the Attorneys General and FBI Director, $1.5 million was spent to relocate the aircraft they used from a secret location to Ronald Reagan National Airport and back. The FBI also uses the unmarked, covert airport to initiate sensitive operations.Except for travel by the Attorney General and the FBI Director, GSA regulations provide that taxpayers should pay no more than necessary for transportation and that travel on government aircraft may be authorized only when a government aircraft is the most cost effective mode of travel, noted the GAO. In general, the agencies are required to book air travel on more cost-effective commercial airlines whenever possible.In addition, the federal agencies are not allowed to consider personal preference or convenience when considering alternative modes of travel. The regulations allow the agencies to use government aircraft for non-mission purposes only when no commercial airline can fulfill the agencys scheduling demands, or when the actual cost of using a government aircraft is the same as or less than the cos t of flying on a commercial airline. How Many Airplanes do the Federal Agencies Own? In July 2016, the Government Accountability Office reported that 11 non-military executive branch federal agencies owned 924 aircraft, excluding those that are loaned, leased, or otherwise provided to other entities. The inventory of aircraft included: 495 fixed-wing airplanes,414 helicopters,14 unmanned aircraft systems (drones), and1 glider. The Department of State owned the most aircraft (248), making it the federal government’s largest non-military aviation fleet. The combined 11 agencies reported spending approximately $661 million to use and maintain their owned aircraft in fiscal year 2015. Besides basic transportation, the aircraft are used for a variety of purposes, including law enforcement, scientific research, and firefighting.

Martin Luther King Jr. - 922 Words

Martin Luther King Jr. lived in a world where racial tensions were high and not everyone was treated equally. He fought for a world where there would be no more segregation and no more disparity between the ways blacks are viewed compared to that of whites. In doing so, he preaches about nonviolence in order to keep the movement honorable. Although Machiavelli believed that the ends justify the means no matter how terrible those means were, the evidence will show that King s ideas that the means used to reach an end should be pure are more reasonable. To understand why King’s ideas are more reasonable it is important to distinguish what he meant by pure means for a pure end compared to that of what Machiavelli was talking about. King while trying to revolutionize civil rights constantly preached that nonviolence demands that the means use[d] must be as pure as the ends [sought] (King 391). By this King means that if we want an outcome where both blacks and whites can live harmoniously in peace, then the means to get there should be characterized by the same things. If we want peace and nonviolence then to get that we must not use hatred and violence as the driving forces behind the movement. Machiavelli s goal was to give the Prince advice on how to be the best leader, and in doing so suggests that as long as the end wanted is honorable than whatever needs to be done should be done. When suggesting this he knows that this can include treacherous acts, however, heShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King Jr.867 Words   |  4 Pa gespeople, one of them is Martin Luther King Jr. He made the world a better place for black citizens by doing non-violence movements and marched the way to freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia as Michael King Jr., but changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of Protestant Martin Luther. Through his activism, King played a pivotal role in ending the legal discrimination of African American citizens. During his childhood, Martin Jr.’s father stronglyRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr1194 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ Simmons 1 Gabrielle Simmons Mrs. Fitzgerald Social Studies 8A 4/27/10 Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a well known and an inspiring man to all cultures of the world. King was and still is one of the most influential heroes. King s views and believes helped African Americans through the 50 s and 60 s to the rights and liberties that was their right. King faced many obstacles on his journey, things like jail and even assassination attempts. Despite these obstacles,Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr.1078 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther King, Jr., was a very strong person, constantly fighting for what he believed in, which was equality for African Americans. He was not scared to stand up and tell the world what he wanted for society. He was fearless and did everything in his power to prove a point. Martin Luther King, Jr., was the strongest individual of his time, for he fought until death, which proves how much he was willing to risk his life to make the world an equal place. Growing up, he had a very interestingRead MoreMartin Luther King, Jr Essay1153 Words   |  5 Pagesbe slaves, African-Americans saw a road trip to equality through the eyes of Martin Luther King, Jr. Even after being emancipated from slaves to citizens, African-Americans were not ready to wage the battle against segregation alone. The weight which African Americans carried on their back, was lightened when they began to see what Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to the table against segregation. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the single most important African-American leader of the Civil Rights MovementRead MoreBiography of Martin Luther King, Jr745 Words   |  3 PagesMartin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) was born on in his mothers parents large house on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the second child, and was first named Michael, after his father. Both changed their names to Martin when the boy was still young. King JR was born into a financially secu re family middle class with that, They received better education in respect to most people of their race. King Jr, noticed this and this influenced him to live a life of social protestRead MoreEssay on Martin Luther King, Jr.591 Words   |  3 PagesMartin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born at home on Tuesday, January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents were Martin Luther, Sr. and Alberta King. He was born into a world where segregation was the law. Where his boyhood best friend, who was white, wasnt allowed to play with him once they started school. Where black people went to separate bathrooms, drank from separate water fountains, couldnt eat in whites only restaurants, and had toRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr.1144 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther King Jr. (January 15 1929-April 4, 1968) Brief Summary (of who MLK Jr. is): Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and an activist who led the civil rights movement in the 1950. He was a fundamental force behind the civil rights movement that ended legal segregation. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. But he was sadly assassinated in 1968 on a second floor balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee†¦ Childhood: Martin Luther was never poor. He lived with a middleRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr.2405 Words   |  10 PagesMartin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist, who led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. IN THESE GROUPS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNERS FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED IN 1968 FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WENT TO PRISON FAMOUS CAPRICORNS Show All Groups 1 of 19  «  » QUOTES â€Å"But we come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice.† —Martin Luther King Jr. Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr. Essay1862 Words   |  8 Pagesbut the content of the character,† (Martin Luther King Jr,1963) Martin Luther King Jr. was a smart child and had a good childhood. He learned values from his parents, and Martin Luther King Jr was a man of much wisdom during his time. He was a major contributor to the civil rights movement, and those contributions have profound effect even today. Michael Luther King was Martin Luther King Jr’s name when was born. His parents changed his name to Martin Luther King when he was just a young boy. TheyRead More Martin Luther King Jr. Essay637 Words   |  3 Pages Martin Luther King, Jr. was perhaps one of the most influential person of our time. As the father of modern civil rights movement, Dr.Martin Luther king, Jr., is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom and peace. Born January 15, 1929, King was the son of an Atlanta pastor. King accomplished many achievements during his life. He graduated from Morehouse as a minister in 1948 and went on to Crozer Theological seminary in Chester, Pa., where he earned a divinity degree. After that King

Disseminating Evidence free essay sample

The term dissemination means a set of organized actions designed to promote and empower incorporation and application of validated strategies (Maibach et al. , 2006). Dissemination is the process of making the outcomes and deliverables of a project available to the stakeholders and to the wider audience (EAHC, n. d. ). The dissemination of the results is important in maintaining the practice and the outcome for appropriate DC practices in NICU. The results of the project outcome will be disseminated to the key stake holders. The purpose of disseminating the results of project to key stakeholders is to inform project development, to receive feedback and to assure that the practice and the outcome will be maintained after the implementation of the project. The stake holders for this project are, the CEO of the hospital, Director of Nursing for Maternal and Child Health, Director of Pediatrics, Nurse Educators, NICU Nurse Manager, NICU staff, Director of research department, Director of physical therapy and EBP committee. We will write a custom essay sample on Disseminating Evidence or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The project and its results will be presented through news bulletins, e-mails as well as staff meetings. Arranging conferences or workshops, on the project can ensure that the project has a high profile, that the participants learn from its achievements, and that the outputs are embedded and taken up (EAHC, n. d. ). Conferences or workshops also offer the advantage that communication can go in both directions: members of the NICU community can be invited to contribute ideas and brainstorm about ways to make use of the project results (EAHC, n. d. ). Inviting other NIUs in the community to participate in the arranged conference will allow disseminating significance of project outcomes to greater nursing community. Conclusion Dissemination is necessary for uplift, and uplift is critical for the victory of the project and for the persistence of the outcome for an extended period (EAHC, n. d. ). The reports can be delivered to the stakeholders and to a broader community by different methods.

Coming To America Essay Example For Students

Coming To America Essay Coming to the United States and meeting a tone of new people naturally include introducing oneself quite a number of times. I will happily introduce myself another time, however today is slightly different. Who introduce themselves and talk about their two faces? Nobody  ¦. but for the first time of my life, I will share with you through my writing, things that I never told anyone, things that Id like to keep to myself or things that I prefer forgetting. To start, my name is Sarah Neufcourt and I am from Ivry-sur-seine, a small peaceful town next to our capital, Paris. I spent five years of life there, and then moved to Toulouse, in the south of France. This is the place I care the most, maybe because the people I met were incredible. However, I moved again but further away, thousands of miles away, keeping those memories in my hearth. I still dont know if I made the right decision to come to Virginia. However, now I am a raising junior in Lee high school. What people see in me is only what I show them, the mask I created to hide under. I think I act differently depending with who I am. From the outside the first impression people have might be that I am shy, athletic, organize and not really girly. Furthermore, many people think that I am a genius but I am definitively not, it is just because I learned much more when I was in France. However, the more I know about you, the more you know about me and the closer you get to the real me. To be honest, I am actually talkative, girly when I want, not organize at all. I am friendly and sweet with the people I adore. This is the way I see myself but who knows it might be another picture that I formed. Even it is my real personality I think it develops itself as my life goes, so in a few years it might change. Things that I do also are parts of my personality. So I love to listen to music while looking at the clouds and remember my past. I enjoy playing sports, especially tennis. It is a hobby and a passion. During my free time I like to read poems and books and also write about everything. Writing is a way to express myself. I usually write the best when I am mad at something or that I think something is unfair. I am involved in different clubs that helps my school and my community. I am always willing to help someone because I think if I do not aid someone who will. Finally, I hope my life will have a good impact on another. I met so many people that influence me and encourage me. But the two people, that have always been present for me and will always be, are parents. They have shown me the right way in direction to a successful present and future. They have given me everything they have, including love. I think that they are the people that inspire me the most. I admire them because they started with nothing and became a nurse and an anesthetic nurse. I am proud of them and hope that they are proud of me. I wish to make them even prouder as I grow up. To end this writing, I wanted to share my goal and tell you hopefully how my future will look like. I want to be veterinarian even if I know the journey is long and hazardous. First, I need to graduate from high school and then enter in a college for 4 years to earn different science and math credit. It will probably be Virginia Tech. And then, I will apply in a veterinarian school and study for 4 more years. I hope to have a scholarship for college, so I am working hard and doing my best. Finally, I will do my maximum to stay the same, have a bright future and make my parents proud.