Whether Democrats like it or not, the American people delivered a resounding mandate to President Donald Trump in November. One of the things they voted for was a smaller, much-trimmed down federal government, which is exactly what Trump has tasked Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team to do. How do we know that DOGE is over all the right targets? The louder the Democrats' temper tantrums get. But there is an overlooked perk of becoming a lawmaker that Democrats have figured out how to game. When lawmakers go back to their districts, how are they getting around? The answer: in style and on your taxpayer dime.
NEW: Jasmine Crockett says the government is "not in the business of giving out money" to you.
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) March 20, 2025
But what about to her?
Turns out you pay for her car, her housing, and her daily meals.
She's hardly the only lawmaker to take advantage of these benefits.https://t.co/rUqK9NmPGP
Members of Congress, of course, receive taxpayer-funded living expense allowances. No one should have a problem with that, but there is also a little-known freebie that comes with being a lawmaker: a benefit that allows members of Congress to lease an EPA-approved vehicle to travel around their home district. Taxpayers foot the bill for those leases. The program is designed for those members who have large, expansive districts that average 18,100 square miles. Also, fine, no one expects someone to rack up miles on their personal vehicle traveling their district. In 2024, 42 members of Congress took part in the program, 15 Republicans and 27 Democrats. Republicans tended to lease economy-size, American-made vehicles. In the end, it is more cost-effective for lawmakers instead of paying for airfare or using their own vehicle, in which the IRS reimbursement rate is just 67 cents a mile.
Then, as usual, there are the Democrats. Many of them have taken advantage of the generosity of taxpayers to lease expensive luxury vehicles like those from Lexus, Volvo, and...wait for it...Tesla. Half of the Democrats who participated in the program represent urban districts smaller than 500 square miles. Who are the culprits? About who you might expect. Top of the list, the new face of the Democrat party herself, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). Crockett has billed taxpayers $999.96 every month she has served in Congress since January 2023. Members of Congress are not obligated to disclose what kind of vehicle they lease, and Crockett's office won't say, but that amount is right over -- $1.96 to be exact -- the monthly lease for a Tesla Model S, which leases for $998 a month. Wait a minute, aren't Teslas bad? And how big is Crockett's district, you ask? Answer: 335 square miles.
🚨 BREAKING: Every single Democrat in the House just voted against ending taxes on tips and overtime.
— NahBabyNah (@NahBabyNah) February 26, 2025
They’re out to squeeze every last dollar from hard-working Americans while pretending to care about the little guy.
This is total hypocrisy!
They … https://t.co/oQIul9j6Go
A few other offenders, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), billed taxpayers $11,996 to Lexus Financial Services in 2024. Her district is 77.5 square miles. Another Tesla hypocrite, Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), billed taxpayers $10,021 to Tesla Finance LLC in 2024, with a district of 276 square miles. Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Yvette Clark (D-NY) gave taxpayers a bit of a break with a bill of $10,400 to Ford Motor Credit in 2024. But Clark could have forgone that bill and gotten some steps in, as her district is only 15.2 square miles.
One of the few Democrats who is sort of playing by the rules is Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC.) His district is a rural one, roughly 6,926 square miles. But if you are going, go big. In 2024, Clyburn paid $11,999 to Volvo Car Financial Services, or rather, taxpayers did. Then, there were those whose offices would not disclose any information. Cane-waving Rep. Al Green (D-TX) racked up a whopping $22,235 in lease payments. The payments went to a Texas dealer that offers many different makes and models.
In fairness, there were two outliers. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) leased a Toyota Prius hybrid, and Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-NY) leased a van he uses for a mobile constituent services office, which actually sounds like a great idea and a good use of taxpayer money.
Maybe I should find out what kind of vehicle I am paying for so my new Congressman, Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO), can tool around the district. I'm sure it would be a warm fuzzy thought to have while I am driving my nine-year-old Toyota Corolla.
"Everything Democrats are is steeped in hypocrisy. It’s more than that, actually. They don’t have double standards; they have standards for everyone else and literally no standards for themselves. They live situational existences where whatever they do is approved of based on…
— Steel Gimlet (@SteelGimlet) March 16, 2025
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