Limits Congressional Travel to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

[struggle4progress]

by ALEX MOE, HALLIE JACKSON and ALEX JOHNSON

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is restricting members of Congress from making official visits as part of official delegations to the hurricane-battered U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, congressional sources from both parties said Wednesday ...

The office of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who had been organizing a visit to Puerto Rico by several representatives and senators from both parties, "is now trying to figure out alternatives to make this happen, as the situation on the island is extremely dire," a spokesperson said.

"My boss is eager to get down there to assess the federal response thus far," the spokesperson said ...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-house-limits-congressional-travel-puerto-rico-virgin-islands-sources-n805391

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Dead link, and not a lot of corroboration from other sources?

[pangaia]

3. Link works for me..

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Thanks -- I tried again, and there it was! When I googled the headline it was still dead.

Here's the story from the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/09/27/white-house-restricting-lawmakers-from-visiting-puerto-rico-u-s-virgin-islands-aides-say/?

[spanone]

2. how can they do that? what's next..restrict media coverage?

[MuseRider]

7. I would like to know that as well.

He cannot keep the media out certainly but does he have any say over congressional movement?

I am not certain I have ever heard this happen.

[Girard442]

5. I wonder if flyovers are prohibited also.

Granted, a flyover is a poor substitute for a presence on the ground but better than nothing.

[MineralMan]

6. Here's the key phrase from that article:

"The administration was telling lawmakers that only "life supporting trips" could be made to the U.S. territories using official government resources"

Trump cannot restrict travel by Congress to PR. He can only restrict travel using government resources. Anyone in Congress can travel there at any time. The President has no actual authority over members of Congress in such matters. None.

[KewlKat]

9. so i guess they'd have to charter a plane and pay out of

Pocket maybe. Can anyone just fly down there? I remember All Gore chartered a plane to evacuate patients I think from Katrina.

[MineralMan]

11. They could pay for the charter with discretionary congressional

funds, as well. Sure, you can fly down there, if you want to, on any commercial airliner that is flying to PR. Check Expedia if you're planning a trip. Getting a ticket back might be a problem, since so many people are trying to fly out, but flying to PR wouldn't present any difficulties.

The reality is that Trump can really only keep members of congress from flying on military planes, since he is CiC. Beyond that, no President can restrict the travel of anyone in Congress. He has zero authority over what Congress does. Separation of Powers is the reason.

He's blustering with this, and talking nonsense, really. Any member of Congress who wants to visit PR can do so at any time he or she chooses.

[Judi Lynn]

10. I think he wants to keep Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez from making the trip,

and getting the entire story on how badly Trump has screwed PR over.

Thanks for your comments.

It's about time someone showed Trump he really is NOT king of the universe.

[MineralMan]

12. Probably so. In reality, I expect a Congressional

delegation to head down there soon. They can charter a plane, using congressional discretionary funds anytime they want to. The reality is that the White House only has funding that is granted by Congress, not the other way around. That's intentional and has constitutional backing.

The Executive Branch has no money of its own, except for what is provided through congressional action. That's a little secret that Donald Trump may not know.

[bdamomma]

8. they better get their asses out there

it is an humanitarian nightmare. They are Americans and they need help.