Hope & Change in Washington: Congress NOT Spending Money (For Once)

Meredith Jessup | August 11, 2009 1:20 PM

Let's hear it for hope and change! Well, this may not be the exact kind of "change" Obama was referring to during the campaign, but this kind of change is something I can really get behind: Faced with mounting public outcry, Congress has scrapped their plans to spend $550 million on their new private jets. Victory!

And we weren't the only ones complaining about Congress' over-the-top frivolous spending: the Department of Defense also insisted that new planes were not needed. "If the Department of Defense does not want these aircraft, they will be eliminated from the bill," Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) , chairman of a House panel on defense appropriations, said in a statement. Murtha was also quick to note that the four additional planes his subcommittee ordered would've been used to replace older aircraft.

Gee congressman, I guess you'll just have to slum it for a while in the private planes you already have. Flashback to middle school: I know all the other kids got new back-to-school clothes, but mommy & daddy just can't afford it right now!

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also caved under the growing pressure, saying she supported the decision to scrap the $550 million plan. Chalk one up for REAL progress in Washington!