FEC carves loophole for candidate travel

The Federal Election Commission on Thursday carved a loophole in travel restrictions for lawmakers and candidates, allowing them to fly on private jets at lower rates.

Candidates for Senate, vice president or president can accept discounted rates on corporate or private jets if they are traveling on behalf of their political action committee and not as a candidate. The regulations do not apply to House candidates.

Since it's up to the candidate in question to declare the purpose of his travel, critics are calling the rule toothless.

The decision, passed 4-2, cuts a big hole in legislation passed in 2007, which banned candidates for federal office from accepting travel discounts.

“Once again, the FEC has proven itself to be a lawless agency, this time by creating an enormous loophole in Congress’s crackdown on corporate jets," said Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who strongly supported the 2007 law.

"The commissioners must reverse this decision, or Congress will have to do it for them," he added.