House Republicans want more information on Hillary Clinton's campaign travel

May 3, 2000
Web posted at: 6:12 p.m. EDT (2212 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two senior House Republicans warned the White House on Wednesday that it must provide an accurate accounting of first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's use of military aircraft for her New York senatorial bid, lest it face a possible cut-off of funds supporting White House travel.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young

In a letter, Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young (R-Florida), and Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-Arizona), ordered the White House to provide Congress with monthly reports detailing the costs, passenger lists, reimbursements, and other information associated with Mrs. Clinton's campaign-related travel to and from New York.

"Since December of 1999, the committee has sought specific information regarding the first lady's travel, and is growing increasingly frustrated by the untimely, inconsistent and incomplete nature of the information provided by the White House," the letter said.

The letter, addressed to Mark Lindsay, assistant to the president and director of White House Management and Administration, said the committee "recognizes the unique circumstances associated with the senatorial campaign of the first lady" but that the committee "will find it difficult to continue to provide federal appropriations for White House travel" if the administration "fails to provide all of the information requested" by the end of May.

"The committee insists that appropriations only be used for authorized purposes and will not be in a position to make a determination regarding this matter absent complete, accurate and timely information," the letter said.

In response to the letter, White House spokesman Jim Kennedy said, "It is unfortunate the Republicans are looking to play politics with the safety of the first lady."

Back in February, supporters of New York Republican Mayor Rudolph Giuliani -- Mrs. Clinton's likely rival in the Senate race -- charged that she has failed to reimburse taxpayers for political trips taken on government jets.

Bruce Teitelbaum, campaign manager of Friends of Giuliani, accused Clinton of using government aircraft for more than 30 trips from Washington to New York on political business.

Teitelbaum said Clinton's records indicated she had reimbursed the government for $34,000 by February of this year, while the estimated cost per trip on a typical government-owned jet is around $20,000.

CNN Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report.