Noah Vinter
In 2010, Nancy Pelosi was accused of spending more on alcohol than food. Pelosi's office denied the allegations, stating that she does not drink alcohol. The claims originated from documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Judicial Watch, a conservative group. The documents showed that Pelosi's military travel cost the United States Air Force over $2 million over a two-year period, with $101,429 attributed to in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. However, the total included expenses other than food and alcohol, and the actual cost of alcohol was much lower than claimed. The story was later debunked by fact-checking websites, which concluded that the allegations were false.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Pelosi's office spend more on alcohol than food? | No, that's not true. |
| Source of claim | The story was published by a liberal satire website. |
| Pelosi's total spending | $105,086 |
| Pelosi's alcohol spending | $101,429 |
| Pelosi's drinking habit | Pelosi doesn't drink alcohol, her staff said. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pelosi spent over $100,000 on food and alcohol
In 2010, Judicial Watch, a conservative group, obtained 2,000 pages of receipts and expense reports for speaker travel under the Freedom of Information Act. The documents revealed that Pelosi's military travel cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period, with $101,429.14 attributed to in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol.
While Pelosi's delegations did spend over $100,000, this was not solely on food and alcohol, and the costs are comparable to those of her Republican predecessor, Dennis Hastert. In addition, Pelosi herself does not drink alcohol, according to her staff.
Despite these facts, critics, including Rep. Michele Bachmann and Chuck Woolery, have repeatedly accused Pelosi of spending $100,000 specifically on alcohol for flights. These allegations have been deemed false by fact-checking organizations, which have pointed out that the total cost of alcohol would have been significantly less than $100,000, even if all in-flight expenses were for alcohol, which they were not.
In 2019, a satirical article further perpetuated the misconception by claiming that Pelosi's office spent more on alcohol than on food. This article was published on a liberal satire website and was not based on real events.
In conclusion, while Pelosi's delegations incurred expenses of over $100,000, this included a variety of in-flight expenses, and the specific claim that she spent $100,000 on alcohol has been discredited.
Planning a Sober Birthday: A Guide for Recovering Alcoholics
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The story was published by a liberal satire website
There have been several claims that Nancy Pelosi spent more on alcohol than food. However, these claims are false. The story that Pelosi's office spent more on alcohol was published by a liberal satire website called "America's Last Line of Defense". The website, run by self-professed liberal troll Christopher Blair, aims to educate gullible Trump supporters and Republicans about the need to read articles before sharing them.
The satire article was based on the fact that Pelosi had the highest petty cash bill in Congress at $105,086. While this number is high, it is not uncommon for speakers who host a lot of guests and serve breakfast and lunch foods for meetings. Pelosi's office has also stated that she does not drink alcohol, and there is no alcohol service on the domestic flights she takes.
The claim that Pelosi spent $100,000 on alcohol for flights was made by Michele Bachmann, who was referring to a collection of documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Judicial Watch. However, the documents do not support Bachmann's assertion. The Judicial Watch summary states that Pelosi's military travel cost the Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period, with $101,429.14 of that amount attributed to in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol.
While it is true that international Congressional delegations (CODELs) show receipts for hundreds of dollars worth of top-shelf alcohol, as well as food purchases, the total expenses include items other than food and alcohol. Additionally, any leftover food and beverages after a trip are stored for future travel.
Alcohol-Fueled Murders: What's the Percentage?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pelosi doesn't drink alcohol
It is well-known that Pelosi's office has been accused of spending large sums of money on alcohol. However, the claim that her office spent more on alcohol than food is false. In fact, Pelosi herself does not drink alcohol, as confirmed by her staff and spokesman. Despite this, she has faced criticism for her delegations' spending on alcohol, with some claiming that she has a drinking problem. These claims have been debunked, and the spending is comparable to that of her Republican predecessor, Dennis Hastert.
Pelosi's congressional delegations have been known to consume pricey alcohol, with receipts showing purchases of top-shelf brands. However, the total expenses include items other than food and alcohol. The costs per official participant are similar to those of Hastert's delegations, and the liquor receipts are also comparable. While Pelosi's delegations may have incurred high costs, it is important to note that these expenses are not solely for alcohol.
The accusations against Pelosi gained traction when documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that her trips on Air Force jets incurred expenses of over $100,000 for "in-flight services." Critics claimed that this included a significant amount of alcohol. However, the total amount also covered food and other services, and such expenses are not uncommon for speakers who host a large number of guests.
Pelosi's office had the highest petty cash bill in Congress, amounting to $105,086. While this number is high, it is not unusual for speakers who frequently host meetings and serve meals. It is important to note that the Air Force covers food and beverage expenses for members of Congress while on U.S. soil, and any remaining food and beverages after a trip are stored for future travel.
In conclusion, while Pelosi's office has faced scrutiny for its spending on alcohol, the claim that it spent more on alcohol than food is false. Pelosi herself does not drink alcohol, and the expenses in question include a range of other items. The spending is comparable to that of previous delegations, and such costs are not uncommon for speakers with high hosting responsibilities.
Strong Bonds, Healthy Habits: Preventing Alcohol Abuse
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Air Force covers food and beverage expenses
In 2010, there were reports that Nancy Pelosi had spent over $100,000 of taxpayer dollars on alcohol for flights. However, Pelosi's office noted that she does not drink alcohol and that there is no alcohol service on the domestic flights she takes from Washington to San Francisco. The Air Force covers food and beverage expenses for congressional delegations (CODELs) while on U.S. soil and until they reach their first overseas location. After that, members of Congress reimburse the Air Force for meals, either from their State Department per diem or out of pocket.
The $100,000 figure comes from documents obtained by Judicial Watch, a conservative group, which show that Pelosi's military travel cost the Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period, with $101,429.14 attributed to in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. However, the $100,000 alcohol tab claim is misleading, as the original receipt for the "bar tab" was only $560.28, and even if this entire amount was for alcohol, it does not come close to the claimed $100,000. Pelosi's office also stated that she took a total of 12 international trips during this period, which would put the total cost of alcohol at less than $7,000.
Furthermore, the total expenses included items other than food and alcohol, and the costs are comparable to those of her Republican predecessor, Dennis Hastert. International CODELs do show receipts for hundreds of dollars worth of top-shelf alcohol, but they also include significant food purchases, and leftover food and beverages are stored for future travel.
In summary, while Pelosi's congressional delegations do include alcohol and food, the costs are not as high as critics claim, and the Air Force covers these expenses until the delegations reach their first overseas location, after which members of Congress reimburse the Air Force.
Fair Housing Law: Alcoholism Disability Rights Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Judicial Watch documents show Pelosi incurred expenses of $2.1 million
The $2.1 million figure comes from a 2010 press release by Judicial Watch, a conservative group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption. The group obtained the information through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The $101,429 figure for in-flight expenses includes food and alcohol, but it is not clear how much was spent on each. However, it is worth noting that Pelosi herself does not drink alcohol, according to her staff. The alcohol is for other members of Congress who join her on these trips.
The total expenses also include other costs besides food and alcohol, such as military air travel. For example, the nine Pelosi CODELs cost $2.4 million, including the cost of military air travel.
While Pelosi's delegations did spend a significant amount on food and alcohol, the costs are comparable to those of her Republican predecessor, Dennis Hastert. International CODELs under both Pelosi and Hastert routinely show receipts for hundreds of dollars worth of top-shelf alcohol, as well as food purchases.
Alcohol Allergy: Self-Testing for an Uncomfortable Reaction
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No. This claim was published by a liberal satire website and is not true.
The story originated from an article published on May 3, 2019, titled "Pelosi's Office Spent More on Alcohol Last Year Than Food."
According to reports, Pelosi's office incurred expenses of approximately $2.1 million for her use of Air Force jets, including about $100,000 for in-flight food and alcohol.
Pelosi's office denied the accusations, stating that she does not drink alcohol and that there is no alcohol service on domestic flights operated by the Air Force.
Yes, in 2010, Michele Bachmann accused Pelosi of spending $100,000 on alcohol for flights, but this claim was found to be false by fact-checking organizations.
