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It Didn't Start With Tom DeLay
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Itsdb |
04/26/05 |
CBSNews.com
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2005
A new study shows that members of Congress have taken more than $16 million in privately financed trips over the past five years, with many of the trips sponsored by non-profit groups that are not obligated to disclose who paid the bills.
The results of the study by PoliticalMoneyLine, an Internet site that compiles campaign finance information, were first reported by USA Today.
The problems of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, have placed a spotlight on congressional travel. DeLay has been accused of a spate of alleged ethical lapses, including travel that may have been paid for by a lobbyist.
Congressional rules permit privately financed travel, provided the money doesn't come from a lobbyist or the representative of a foreign interest.
But the study shows that more than half the private money spent on congressional travel since 2000 - $8.8 million - came from non-profit organizations who are not obligated to identify who may be actually paying the bills.
Widespread interest in DeLay's woes have spread bipartisan jitters through the halls of Congress. The Washington Post reports that members are racing to put their travel and campaign finance records in order in case their own activities come under scrutiny.
The newspaper also said that some members are restricting privately financed travel or even halting it altogether because of affaire DeLay.
The PoliticalMoneyLine study reviewed 5,410 trips taken by 605 members of the House and Senate. Democratic lawmakers had the edge, taking 3,025 trips, to 2,375 trips for GOP members.
The No. 1 trip-taker in dollar terms was Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Sensenbrenner took 19 trips valued at $168,000.
In contrast, by taking 14 trips valued at $94,568.
Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn., took the most trips - 63. But Ford's less expensive domestic jaunts only totaled $61,000.
Top travel destinations, besides the U.S., were Mexico and Israel.
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Delay doesn't have anything on the Dems here, maybe that's why they're scrambling to get all their records in order. Interestingly enough, besides the Dems having the edge in numbers of trips, 14 of the top 20 dollar wise are Democrats...including our good buddy Joe Biden 10 spots ahead of Delay.
Add Bush's display of support for Delay today to the scramble by congressmen to get their travel records straight, does Delay's demise still sound so imminent? |
Clarification/Follow-up by Itsdb on 04/26/05 12:45 pm:
Somehow one line was misprinted, it should read: "In contrast, DeLay finished 28th by taking 14 trips valued at $94,568."
Clarification/Follow-up by excon on 04/27/05 9:35 am:
Sorry to pop your baloon, Its, but it's true. Jack Abramhoff's credit card was used to pay for at least one of Delay's trips. I can't recollect my source, but I don't think I made it up.
excon Clarification/Follow-up by Itsdb on 04/27/05 9:40 am:
No prob ex, my bubble's not burst...I just doubt DeLay is the only example. Especially since those who funded the South Korea trip which raised eyebrows also funded trips for twelve other members.
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