WASHINGTON — Rep. Elton Gallegly of Simi Valley likes his taxpayer-funded Ford Expedition. He isn't worried that it's not the most fuel-efficient car. It's reliable, suits his mountainous district and is cheaper to lease than many other vehicles.
"It's not a Cadillac. It's not a Lincoln. It's a Ford," the Republican congressman said with exasperation.
But like it or not, Gallegly and other lawmakers will have to give up gas-hungry SUVs and luxury sedans for leased vehicles that are more eco-correct, such as Toyota's Prius.
And some are in a high-octane fit about it.
"A Prius isn't made in the United States," Gallegly complained.
Congress has been bearing down to do more about global warming. But a little-noticed amendment to last year's energy bill has hit especially close to home. It requires House members who lease vehicles through their office budgets to drive cars that emit low levels of greenhouse gases.
Among the victims: Texas Republican Joe L. Barton, who will probably have to give up his Chevy Tahoe, despite his protests that it is made in his district. "I guarantee you my district is not upset that I'm driving a Chevy Tahoe," he said.
The effort to steer lawmakers into vehicles that get better mileage comes as Congress has mandated more fuel-efficient vehicles for the public and pump prices have surged.
A good example
The requirement was sought by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.), who figured that if his colleagues were serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and U.S. dependence on foreign oil, they ought to put their foot where their mouth is.
Cleaver does. His taxpayer-funded Ford Econoline, a recycled airport shuttle he uses as a mobile office, runs on cooking grease. But he's heard grumbling from colleagues.
"They want their Lexuses and their Cadillacs," he said. "I just think it's a poor example for us to spend so much time talking about energy independence and global warming and presenting to the people an image of fat cats living the fat life."
Twenty-one of California's 53 House members lease vehicles, among them Reps. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) and Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach ), who get around in Lincoln Town Cars, and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), who uses a Prius.
Overall, about 130 of the 435 House members lease vehicles, according to an analysis by The Times and the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense.
