WASHINGTON – Taxpayers have footed the bill for more than $16,000 in flowers sent from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since she took power in January, it was revealed yesterday.
“I understand that the speaker has ceremonial obligations, but at the time of budget crunch – at the time of the war – I think this sends the wrong message,” said Rep. Peter King (R-NY).
The bouquets are just one part of the 63 percent spike in spending – to $3 million – by the office of the speaker in the year since Pelosi (Calif.) replaced Republican Dennis Hastert (Ill.), The Hill newspaper reported.
But Democrats weren’t the only ones wearing out taxpayers’ checkbooks this year. Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has spent 23 percent more than Pelosi did last year, when she held that post.
Both Boehner and Pelosi cited the costs of transitioning power as partially responsible for the increase in spending.
Pelosi also has about two dozen more staffers working for her than Hastert had working for him in the last congressional session.