Report: Members of Congress on Power Trips
EmailMembers of Congress and their aides have taken nearly 23,000 privately sponsored trips at a cost of almost $50 million, according to a report released by the Center for Public Integrity. Destinations included vacation hotspots such as Paris, Italy and Hawaii. This exhaustive study covers a five-and-a-half-a-year period ending in 2005. While it is illegal for lobbyists to pay for trips, anyone else can legally foot the bill, including companies and organizations with business before Congress. The costs can add up. Five current and former members of Congress and their aides took trips totaling over $400,000 in the five-and-a-half-year period the study covered. Those five are Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Rep. Michael Oxley (R-OH), Rep. WJ Tauzin (R-LA) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK). The most expensive trip, costing over $30,000, took Rep. Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. (R-VA) and his wife to London courtesy of Brown & Williamson Tobacco. The stated purpose of that trip was for meetings with senior management of British American Tobacco and others. Also coming in at close to $30,000, Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) and his wife went to Australia for 11 days courtesy of the American Australian Association and the Australian government. Aside from the UK and Australia, there are many other vacation hot spots that members and their aides visited. Members of Congress and their aides took at least 200 trips to Paris, 150 to Hawaii and 140 to Italy. Six members and their aides took more than 240 trips during the study period. They are Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Rep. Michael Oxley (R-OH), Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-LA), Rep. William M. Thomas (R-CA) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK). The Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit government watchdog, spent nine-and-a-half months analyzing Congressional disclosure forms. The study is available on their website.
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I am disgusted with the politicians in Washington that act like ‘royalty’. They do nothing but feather their own nest after being elected. It is time that they are all turned out, Democrats abd Republicans alike. We need our voices heard.
NEVER vote for an incumbent unless and until the are doing what YOU want them to do.
Insist on: Tax reform , The Fair Tax, HR 25; a Balanced Budget Amendment; Secure borders
Posted by: R. A. Farley | June 5, 2006, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Your tax dollars at “work”!
Posted by: Gerld | June 5, 2006, 10:41 am 10:41 am
So,you were only able to locate one democrat??__LOL the drive-by-lib media arrives again!!!
Posted by: r cunningham | June 5, 2006, 10:50 am 10:50 am
Government of the people and by the people is simply a joke.
Posted by: bob | June 5, 2006, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Shock of all shocks! Most of these “travelers” are Republican. It’s must just be the “liberal” media. right? Right?
Posted by: Doug Anthony | June 5, 2006, 11:11 am 11:11 am
Boys will be boys Dont ya know
Posted by: anonymous | June 5, 2006, 11:21 am 11:21 am
1% of the people in America make the laws that allow them to screw the other 99%. It’s the “plantation owner” mentality. America is pathetic anymore. I would move out if I could convince my wife to.
Posted by: Tom | June 5, 2006, 11:29 am 11:29 am
For those looking for more info that’s (arguably) less selective about members of congress it cites: http://www.publicintegrity.org/powertrips/report.aspx?aid=799
Posted by: Jason Pipkin | June 5, 2006, 11:29 am 11:29 am
Of course you will get more Republicans, they are the party in power. When the Democrats were in power, more perks were given to them. The story is that the Republicans are following in the Democrats footsteps now that they are in power. The “Culture of Corruption” applies to Washinton, not just the Republicans.
Posted by: Ricky Sims | June 5, 2006, 11:36 am 11:36 am
Over and over again we prove that we have the best politicians that money can buy…
Posted by: Greg Shriver | June 5, 2006, 11:41 am 11:41 am
The USA is lost. It is going broke with the effects of the best government that money (Corps) can buy.
Jim
Canada
Posted by: Jim | June 5, 2006, 11:42 am 11:42 am
How many of those “privately sponsored trips” were actually paid for by the Congressman, not the lobbyist? What a joke study to come up with one democrat – I guess William Jefferson is still innocent too.
Posted by: Brian | June 5, 2006, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
Since there’s only one Democrat mentioned you think it’s more important to take a pot shot at the media?
I bet if you look closely you’ll find shenanigans on both sides of the aisle. We, the American people of ALL party affiliations, deserve better than this from all elected officials. It’s only going to get worse until we force them to do better.
Posted by: Trystann | June 5, 2006, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
Your politicians hard at work while the working stiffs of this country will go without a vacation this year.
Posted by: Bob | June 5, 2006, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
While I find it outragous that Members of Congress and US Senators can skirt the issue of bribery, with trips and perks from companies and well to do private citizens who then get the bend the ear of the Congressional and Senate receipents. I also find it outragous that a new organization fails to report all the 12 Republicians and only 1 Democrat listed. Surely all the other democrats are not withour “sin”.
When are the elected officials going to learn that it is the people that elect them, not the company that paid for the trip to Italy or other desired vacation trip. Call these trips what they are, bribery pure and simple. Congress should outaw all forms of this and stick to campaign contributions from private citizens, with a $1000. limit per term.
Posted by: Liam W | June 5, 2006, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
I also find it very funny that all the lawmakers named are Republican.. Just more drive by shootings of Republicans as the man mentioned..
Posted by: Dicusted with the Media & Congress | June 5, 2006, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Hmmm, 12 republicans and only 1 democrat mentioned in the story. So much for the media being unbiased.
Posted by: Sam J | June 5, 2006, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
I hereby announce that I’m a candidate for the House of Representatives or the Senate for that matter. I want some of those free trips (oops I mean business meetings….wink, wink!)
Posted by: Paul Cash | June 5, 2006, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Amazing how anyone would turn this into a liberal media complaint. Duh – the people with greater power are always going to be wined and dined more. Truth hurts. Republicans with power are as corrupt as anyone else with power. I happen to think right now they are particularly awful, but that’s MY bias, not the media.
Posted by: Melissa | June 5, 2006, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Shades of the rampant aristocracy prior to the French Revolution.
While poverty has hold on millions and the average tax payer must decide whether to spend on the occasional vacation now or some sort of retirement security for later, our feckless leadership accepts holiday junkets at will and still looks forward to retirement with full pensions and benefits that can be compared to the income of two to three middle class households.
Nice. Real nice!
Posted by: zach | June 5, 2006, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Any coincidence that a majority of the members of congress listed above are from the Republican party? Seems they have more money than the Democrats to begin with, and seem to be content to live a lifestyle of lavishness, while working Americans like myself work to make sure we can pay bills each month.
Posted by: S. Anderson | June 5, 2006, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
What the Center for Public Integrity has really revealed is:
1. Only the Republicans are disclosing the information that they LEGALLY received privately sponsored trips. Only one Democrat was willing to do so.
2. The Center for Public Integrity is relying only on NINE MONTHS OF STUDY of Congressional disclosure forms? Not exactly the of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalism you would expect from such a well-credentialed group. Perhaps they are not as “non-partisan and non-advocacy” oriented as they would have you believe, if this is all they can come up with, especially with the Democrats leader.
3. Pulitzer Prize winners don’t necessarily make good reporters.
Posted by: One_American | June 5, 2006, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
This is a party issue? I think NOT! This is the base failure of our democratic system we are seeing. This has to be stopped, vote out these bottom feeders NOW! Apathy kills.
Posted by: Don | June 5, 2006, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
I bet everyone in American would like to take their family on a “business” trip to France, Australia, etc, for little or no cost and while their work obligations are being tended to by support staff – all while having 100% job security and with the knowledge you are contributing to the success of our nation. Thank you Representatives for your selfless commitment to the district(s) you represent and the people in those districts who look to you to represent them and our country, we will not forget this sacrifice – in November!
Posted by: T.Boldt | June 5, 2006, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Oink, Oink. Pork-barrell pensions on top of this. . . Put ‘em all on our Social Security Roles and we’ll see zero incumbents running for office. . .
Posted by: Linda | June 5, 2006, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Government by the rich for the rich and it doesn’t matter which side of the aisle they are on. Politicians feel that they are untouchable because they make the laws. It’s time for that to change. Vote out any and all incumbents that have taken money from lobbyists. This country needs to be freed from all the political corruption going on. Can’t we learn any lessons from the fall of the Roman Empire?
Posted by: W.Meyers | June 5, 2006, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
I love all the republicans crying foul!? You control the intire government and when the truth is told you cry like babies with a bottle full of soar milk! If the truth of this corruption is hard to swallow, tuff,it’s your own doing.
Posted by: Bruce | June 5, 2006, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
I guess I’ve got to stop turning to ABC for complete and accurate news. I was just reading an article about a dozen Democrats that are in trouble for things like this. I don’t see their names here. The news is bias in favor of Democrats…and this coming from a person that votes mostly Democrat.
Posted by: Gordo | June 5, 2006, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
I agree with most of the above. It’s absurd to say that the lack of more Democrats is because of the biased media or a bias of this organization. Rather, the party in power will always be the one who is getting most of the benefits.
Also, one must look at it from a different standpoint. There is no bias in saying that Republicans are generally more in touch with the interests of business (“America’s business IS business”), and so the fact that these are being paid for by companies that have been helped out by certain Republicans shouldn’t come as a surprise, nor should it be attributed that the Republican party is in and of itself and evil organization, just because something like this happens. There’s lots of corruption on both sides, but no one should be taking this as an assault on the Republican party; rather, it should be seen as one of the many pieces of truth.
Posted by: James | June 5, 2006, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
now let me get this straight it is liberal bias to report what a report reported???? I swear we can’t even read a blog about a report but what we are told you can’t report the truth unless it says Republicans are saints and all Dems are evil. Why do we even bother telling a story if in the end it has to show the conservatives are pure and the liberals i.e. all those who aren’t conservative are bad bad bad!
I am ashamed of Washington and I am ashamed we sink to this .We should be very upset that the very ones we send to Washington are the ones messing over the Anerican people every dam time! Stop with this on going “I am not as bad as you nah nah na naha naa” crap.
Posted by: Bonnie Kimberly | June 5, 2006, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Putting all political parties to the side.
Notice that these are repeat offenders.
And yes when the Democrats were in Power they did the same thing and I’ll be you would find out it was the same ones doing it over and over and over.
Posted by: Mark | June 5, 2006, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Every two years we get to vote for sleeze-bag (D) or sleeze-bag (R). Its no fun anymore. Boy do we need a third party. Our form of Democracy has deteriorated to a place that will not soon be repaired; if we even have the time to repair it.
Posted by: geneonlbk | June 5, 2006, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Reportedly, both Democrats and Republicans traveled frequently. Of the 24 congressional offices on which trip sponsors spent the most money, 15 were Republicans. Of the 25 lawmakers who each accepted more than $120,000 worth of travel, 17 were Democrats. The moral of this story: Those in power are the ones that will most likely abuse their power…their political party of choice does’t matter.
Posted by: Chris M | June 5, 2006, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
They could’ve omitted names — AND Rs and Ds — and I would’ve read this with just as much disgust and just as little surprise.
Perhaps we should be more concerned about our government’s corruption than our media’s biases.
(And just to clarify a previous comment: it was a 9 & 1/2 month study of 5 & 1/2 years of data.)
Posted by: Will | June 5, 2006, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
Interesting that some commenting on this still find ways to blame the democrats.
Posted by: Mike | June 5, 2006, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
WAKE UP AMERICA – ITS TIME WE TOOK OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THE RICH !
Today more than anytime in history
The rich are getting obscenely richer
The poor are getting much poorer
And the middle class are working
harder then ever to keep their heads above
water and support EVERYTHING !
And many of the middle class are going under !
We have become a government
BY THE RICH – FOR THE RICH
AND THE RICH DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU OR ME !
The Majority of the TOP 2 PERCENT RICH ARE GREEDY PEOPLE
AND THEY TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER ON OUR BACKS !
Dave Kaspersin
Posted by: Dave Kaspersin | June 5, 2006, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
I say more power to them!!! Unless your completely gullible or naive, everyone knows that you don’t get elected by being honest!!!
Posted by: Rick | June 5, 2006, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
I don’t know when he took the trip, and since it does say ‘former’, but Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. (R-VA) is not currently a VA Congressman.
Posted by: Rob | June 5, 2006, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Abraham Lincoln wrote: “Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in few hands and the republic is destroyed.” This prediction has come true.
Posted by: Mike Havenar | June 5, 2006, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
HA HA HA The joke is on us! I bet some of you would’nt be so upset if they would have taken you with them on these trips.
Posted by: Andre Burks | June 5, 2006, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
Ofcourse there’s more republicans…democrats are smart enough to hide anything…everything.
Posted by: Toby Mayes | June 5, 2006, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
” If voting could change the system, voting would be illegal.
If not voting could change the system, then not voting would be illegal.”
Robert Anton Wilson
Posted by: zach | June 5, 2006, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Who Are the Top Travelers?
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2006 — Whether measuring by the number of privately funded trips taken or the total amount sponsors spent on each congressional office, members of the House and their aides topped their Senate counterparts during the January 2000 through June 2005 study period. House members or staffers also took the 10 most expensive trips identified in the Center for Public Integrity’s analysis.
Here’s a breakdown of the top-traveling congressional offices (legislator and staff totals combined) alphabetized by member, followed by a list of the priciest individual trips and who took them:
Offices Taking More Than $350,000 in Travel
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas)
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio)
Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-La.)*
Rep. William Thomas (R-Calif.)
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
Offices Taking More Than 200 Trips
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas)*
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas)
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)
Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio)
Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-La.)*
Rep. William Thomas (R-Calif.)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
* No longer in Congress
Posted by: Mike | June 5, 2006, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Yes, it’s that mean old LIBERAL MEDIA that’s to blame here. Don’t bother trying to find a real solution or, heaven forbid, take a look at the facts before pointing fingers. Yup, let’s just blame the mythical LIBERAL MEDIA. Because of them we have high gas prices, global warming, the disasterous war in Iraq, the inept Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. If we could just get rid of that pesky LIBERAL MEDIA (and maybe a few of those wedding loving gays) life would be perfect. Whenever possible, we should follow Bush and the Republicans blindly and NEVER ask questions. You know, because that would be “unpatriotic.” Who cares about all this “questionable” travel? How else are Bush’s boys gonna spread the Gospel around the globe? In God (and Fox News) We Trust, right???
Posted by: Ron H | June 5, 2006, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
But, the question is not which party is the worst. And there is no sense slinging arrows at the messenger. What can we do to discourage this type of behaviour?
Posted by: Dennis | June 5, 2006, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
A total waste of resources to do a study on something that is already quite obvious. Check out the facts on the collapse of the WTC if you want to see a something that we should all be aware of.
Posted by: Romek | June 5, 2006, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
How about we elect candidates to office who refuse to accept either campaign funding or congressional trips and favors showered on them by lobbyist. For instance, Mort Meier from the Ohio Congressional 8th who has got about as much chance of winning against John Boehner (Republian Majorite) leader as lobby reform has in congress.
Posted by: john S. | June 5, 2006, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
The public officials–which are supose to be our goverment–is a sesspool of arrogant crooks–but no other time in history of this great country was the coruption worse and the selling down the drain of this once great nation==than under the worst president a country could ever have===) Clinton ) and she has the nerve to run to be president–she is an enabler of woman-hood at its worse–God help us —the stooges in the goverment should all be voted out–every single one of them–regardless of party–none have the people,s backing-get rid of them—and close the Borders and give us back our nation–language and culture==of hard working people—who love this nation
Sincerly
Helga
Posted by: Helga | June 5, 2006, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
These people are bottom feeders. Smile alot and screw the people who need the tax support. Was life long Republican voter, as bad as the Dems are what choice do we have? God help us all.
Learning by living in Florida!
Posted by: Raymond Bowen | June 5, 2006, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Regardless of the political party, it appears the main interest seems to benefit their own selfish thinking, placing their own value first; which all of this is material.
It’s a pity, these large corporations footing the bill(s) for these individuals, when they should be concentrating on keeping their company running afloat.
These companies are likely the same that are out-sourcing jobs to other countries to pay, and maybe to for these expensive trips, or other hidden costs, to pad the creative bookkeeping from the loss of jobs being displaced from this country for many Americans.
The ethics of these individuals is very immoral but, hey it’s more important to jet off to another country; when instead they should be paying for their own trips, not accepting a buy off. Not to mention these individuals are able to afford a trip like this, unlike myself.
Also, who knows what other kind of lavish gifts are being purchased on behalf of these companies, on the return trip. And if I recall correctly, according to the gratitude law a government official can only receive $200 gift a year, at $20 increments of gifts.
In addition to that, we have sporting events, expensive dinners at 5 and 6 star restaurants, concerts…and this list goes on.
God Bless, Victoria Rum
Posted by: Victoria Rum | June 5, 2006, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
CARP,FUSS,GRIPE,GRUMBLE GROWL,SQUAWK,WAIL,WHINE,YAMMER,DEPLORE,AND LAMENT.
THEN FELLOW VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS AND RE-ELECT YOUR FAVORITE INCUMBENT.WHO’S FAULT IS IT ANYWAY?
YES YOU’RE RIGHT—OURS!
Posted by: Tom Kurzenbaum | June 5, 2006, 11:48 pm 11:48 pm
ABC, I have lost all respect for you and your “fair and balanced” reporting. I agree with some above who have commented on how you pointed out 6 republicans and only 1 Democrat. But this isnt’ the first time you have acted in this manner is it? As a marketing professional it is incredibly easy how you routinely set the Republicans up for “the fall” on issues that are abused accross party lines. Am I a Republican? Yes, indeed, though I have been known to vote for Dem’s in cases where I felt that they would do the better job. I like to think that I keep an open mind on such issues, but it is apparent to all , or most rather, that you are a giant part of a political machine. Fair? No. Unbiased? Like Hell. I no longer consider you “news worthy”.
Posted by: DSpring | June 6, 2006, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
For those of you still crying foul with ABC …
(Maybe you should stick with FOX — they either didn’t report this or buried it on their site.)
LOOK at the DATA from the study!
__________________________
Here’s a breakdown of the top-traveling congressional offices (legislator and staff totals combined) alphabetized by member …
Offices Taking More Than $350,000 in Travel
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas)
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio)
Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-La.)*
Rep. William Thomas (R-Calif.)
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
Offices Taking More Than 200 Trips
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas)*
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas)
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)
Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio)
Rep. W.J. Tauzin (R-La.)*
Rep. William Thomas (R-Calif.)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
Posted by: willr | June 6, 2006, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
The so called servers are serving themselves and at the end these rich leaders will get pensions that we will be paying for.The time is past for limited terms.I don’t honor this leadership and hope this two party system will soon get some true American leaders not the elites and those that go to college just to be in politics make me sick.No one should have the right to life time government pay the true living on the dole people.Down with lifetime government workers and their stealing our money.Income Taxes are making us nothing but slaves to this corrupt system.Down with big government that gets by with doing a bad job and than rewarding itself.Those leaders that have been in power the last 20+ years need to be recalled and two terms in government mandated including law enforcement.
Posted by: Max | June 7, 2006, 12:42 am 12:42 am
Red or Blue? What difference does its make? We are Americans. Think for yourselves, get the facts straight, go to the source. I challenge you to go to the Center’s website and look aththeir report … not ABC’s (or any 3rd party’s) piecemeal pickings. If you are upset with the idea of this article, it shouldn’t matter whether the offender is a Dem. or a Rep., wrong is wrong. If some one breaks a rule/law/ethical code, does the R or D next to their state make the offense more palpable? Wrong is wrong, no matter who you align yourself with.
Posted by: Steve | June 7, 2006, 1:19 am 1:19 am
I live in Illinois. Ex-governor and ex-secretary of state George Ryan was just tried and found guilty of taking bribes. The bribes were, favors, gifts, trips, and pet contracts to certain friends in return for favors. They all do it!!!! It is wrong and unethical. But I’ve never seen a politician yet that was honest. There should be staggering fines, lost of citizenship, and 20 years of public service (without pay) and
loss of any pensions, retirements, and social security for such sneaky
tactics. AND THE SAME PUNISHMENT FOR THE CIVCILIAN OFFENDER.
Bet we could get honest people to run for offices once we clear out the free loaders!!!!
My wouldn’t the whole government and it’s capitalist following change?
Shar
Posted by: Shar | June 8, 2006, 1:37 am 1:37 am