Public pays tab for congressional vehicle use

Saturday, August 20th 2005, 8:11 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Two members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation are taking advantage of House rules that allow them to lease or rent vehicles for official business in the state.

Republican Representative John Sullivan is leasing a sport utility vehicle in his district for 12-hundred-42 dollars a month at taxpayer expense.

Republican Representative Frank Lucas rented a car in Oklahoma City in December and paid more than 15-hundred dollars for it out of his congressional office account.

House rules permit members to lease or rent vehicles or submit reimbursement claims for mileage on personal cars. Congressional staff members also can rent cars while on officials business or get reimbursed for mileage on personal cars.

The House reimbursement rate for mileage on personal cars is 40-and-one-half cents per mile.