1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

To my elected representatives, Common sense tells us that public office is a public trust—not a personal upgrade, not a political perk, and not a taxpayer‑funded travel pass. Yet recent reporting on Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, and other officials shows a troubling pattern of using government aircraft and public resources for personal or political purposes. Common sense tells us that taxpayer‑funded aircraft are not private jets for allies or campaign backdrops. They exist to serve the public interest. When officials treat them as personal transportation, they violate ethics standards and the basic expectations of the people who pay the bills. Common sense tells us that leaders who preach fiscal responsibility while indulging in taxpayer‑funded travel for self‑promotion are engaging in blatant hypocrisy. Whether it’s Patel’s questionable flights, Noem’s use of public resources to bolster her political image, or similar behavior by others, the message is the same: insiders play by different rules. Common sense tells us Congress cannot ignore this. Oversight is not optional. Accountability is not partisan. Integrity is not negotiable. I am asking you to: • Conduct a full, transparent review of all federally funded travel by Patel, Noem, and any other officials whose conduct raises similar concerns. • Require documentation proving each trip served a legitimate governmental purpose. • Strengthen oversight to prevent future misuse of taxpayer resources. • Demonstrate through action—not rhetoric—that ethical standards apply to everyone. Common sense tells us the American people deserve a government that respects the resources entrusted to it. When officials treat public funds as personal assets and Congress fails to respond, public trust erodes even further. I urge you to show that this Congress still understands the difference between public service and personal indulgence. The country deserves nothing less.