Reading Room Document

Payment of Travel Expenses Incurred by Person Conducting Official Business on Behalf of the President When the Person Is Not an Officer or Employee of the United States

The document addresses the issue of whether it is legal to use Executive Office appropriations to pay for the travel expenses of a volunteer agent of the President traveling on his behalf. The conclusion reached is that it is legal to use appropriated funds for travel expenses if the travel is for the official purposes of the Presidency and can be met from funds already appropriated. The document also discusses the relevance of the person's relationship to the President, stating that it is irrelevant if the travel is accomplished to perform an official purpose of the Presidency and if the person traveling may lawfully act in the capacity assigned by the President. The document also provides a precedent for payment of these expenses by another Administration for family members to travel on official business, citing examples from previous Presidents.

February 24, 1977