A new government audit is raising questions about the cost of presidential travel, outlining how a 2013 trip by President Obama to Chicago and Palm Beach cost taxpayers $3.6 million, excluding classified costs, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.
The auditors examined the costs of Obama's travel from Feb. 15, 2013 through Feb. 28, 2013 after Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), then ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, requested the investigation.
"On February 15, 2013, the President flew from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to Chicago, Illinois to deliver remarks on economic proposals that he introduced in his State of the Union address on February 12, 2013, later flew to Palm Beach, Florida for vacation, and then returned to Joint Base Andrews," the report states.
The report found that the two trips cost taxpayers about $3.6 million, not including costs that are classified. The $3.6 million includes commercial air travel, food and lodging expenses, and rental cars for the Department of Defense, the Secret Service, and Coast Guard employees supporting the trip.
The trips cost the Department of Defense about $2.8 million, which included the use of Air Force One, a helicopter lift from the Marine Corps, logistical support from the Air Mobility Command, as well as food and lodging.
The trips also cost the Department of Homeland Security about $767,000, which included $180,000 for the Secret Service and $586,000 for the Coast Guard. Included in these costs were the use of the RB-S boat and the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, as well as food and lodging.
The $3.6 million did not include other costs such as the salaries and benefits of civilian personnel, such as Secret Service Agents, or military personnel traveling with the president or involved in the agency planning.
"At a time when the government was tightening its belt to prepare for sequestration, President Obama had such little regard for the taxpayer that he spent millions of dollars to play golf with Tiger Woods," said Sen. Barrasso. "This arrogance is par for the course for the Obama administration."
The White House did not provide comments in response to the Government Accountability Office audit, and did not respond to the Washington Free Beacon by press time.