INTERVIEW – REP. ROB WITTMAN – (R-VA) – shared his thoughts on the shutdown and his new bill to ban first class flights on taxpayers’ dime.

• Rep. Wittman, a Virginia Republican, wants to stop members of Congress from flying first class. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) has introduced a bill that would prohibit members of Congress from flying first class at taxpayers’ expense, a perk under increased scrutiny during the partial federal government shutdown. Wittman’s bill would apply to all travel regardless of the shutdown, but he expects lawmakers to take a closer look at matters of congressional accountability once the government reopens. The senior Republican on a subcommittee that overseas the Navy fleet, Wittman said he flies coach on government business because that’s how servicemen and women get to their duty stations. “I don’t think [flying first class] sets the right example,” he said in an interview. “I think members of Congress ought to be held to the same standard as others flying on government business.”  As Transportation Security Administration workers toil without pay, at least one lawmaker enjoyed luxury air travel for official business.