Congressmen take advantage of travel perks
Hundreds of lawmakers traveled overseas in 2008 at a cost of about $13 million. That’s a 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago…
The Journal analysis shows that the government has picked up the tab for travel to destinations such as Jamaica, the Virgin Islands and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Lawmakers frequently bring along spouses on congressional trips. If they take commercial flights, they have to buy tickets for spouses. If they fly on government planes — as they usually do — their spouses can fly free…
Last summer, Rep. Brian Baird (D., Wash.) took a four-day trip to the Galápagos Islands with his wife, four other lawmakers and their family members. The lawmakers spent $22,000 on meals and hotels, records show. Mr. Baird, a member of the House Science Committee, said the trip was to learn about global warming.
It’s unbelievable. Wouldn’t we all love to learn about global warming in galapagos?
If the congress has any sense of decency it would immediately ban spouses and family members from congressional travel. I don’t even know why they are allowed now. Oh I forgot–it’s a perk, just like postage-free junk mail.
If you see Bill Foster or Melissa Bean anytime soon, tell them to introduce a bill to ban travel by spouses.
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I can imagine some politicians would like a ban on spouse travel. We need a ban on travel for politicians. You can learn through the internet etc.
Common Sense Clarence Hayward
I think there are legitimate reasons for congressional travel, just as there are legitimate reasons for business travel. Banning spouses and family members would help ensure that the travel remains legitimate.
It’s unlikely that congressmen would go “learn about global warming” in Galápagos if they had to leave their families at home, with their spouses wondering exactly what they were up to down there in South America…
Actually, although it was a state and not a federal matter, the recent experiences involving the Governor of South Carolina indicate that requiring politicians to include their spouses might reduce the amount of such travel.
what could possible have been learned on a trip that spent $22,000. I learn more from nature by just hiking and sleeping in a tent.
I think we can safely assume that it was a publicly-funded family vacation.