Congressional Junkets

The U.S. Congress

In a recent 5 1/2 year period, Democrat and Republican lawmakers accepted almost $50 million for trips paid for by corporations and groups seeking congressional favors. This is in addition to the millions of dollars of taxpayer money used to fund “congressional fact finding” trips. Representative James Sensenbrenner R-WI racked up $168,000.00 for his travel. Representative Maurice Hinchly D-NY spent $161,393.00 for his 140 days of travel while Representative Gregory Meeks D-NY (with his wife) traveled to Malaysia, London, Ghana, Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Lucia ( no doubt studying poverty in these popular tourist destinations ). I doubt that any of the above congressmen received a gold star for attendance in the Congress.

While middle class Americans struggle to make ends meet, we have a congressional royalty (and their relatives) traveling the globe at no cost to themselves and accomplishing very little. Meanwhile the drug manufacturers, oil companies, banks, etc. that pay for their trips have legislation passed in the Congress that favors their bottom lines. Spend some time visiting the sites below. Read how these lawmakers stay in $500 per night hotel rooms and are often met and wined and dined by lobbyists while at their travel destinations.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/05/AR2006060501496.html

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2D6103AF934A15753C1A966958260

http://www.examiner.com/a-675671~Congressional_junkets_picking_up_steam.html

http://www.gopbloggers.org/mt/archives/004833.php

The failing economy and inflation will curb the travel plans of millions of Americans this year. But worry not. Our Congress will try to help the travel industry get through these tough times with the help of the American taxpayer.

Fly The Friendly

Skies Of

Congress

Friday, May 30, 2008

Congressional Junkets