Congress's Travel Tab Swells The congressional trips are possible thanks in part to an unlimited fund created by a three-decade old law. Nearly two dozen government officials work full-time organizing the trips. Much of the costs are not made public, including the cost of flying on government jets. The Air Force maintains a fleet of 16 passenger planes for use by lawmakers.
Following are some noteworthy examples of Congressional travel gone awry.
2008 Congressional Travel Noteworthy Trips -
Data from OpenSecrets.org
(Credit to the Center for Responsive Politics)
Gary AckermanNew York- Lanai, Hawaii-New York
Aspen InstituteConference$10,555.00 3/23/2008 Dem NY
Danny K. DavisChicago-Dresden, Germany-Liechtenstein-Chicago
International Mgmt/Development InstituteParticipated in the 10th Annual U.S. German Congressional Roundtables$12,200.00 2/16/2008 Dem IL
Danny K. DavisChicago-Beijing, China-DC
Omar Medical SuppliesAttended the groundbreaking ceremony$10,315.00 4/4/2008 Dem IL
James L. OberstarDC-Lanai, HI-DC
Aspen InstituteConference$12,376.00 3/24/2008 Dem MN
Tom PriceAtlanta-Dresden, Germany-Vaduz, Liechtenstein-Atlanta
International Mgmt/Development InstituteConference$17,381.00 2/16/2008 Rep GA
George V. VoinovichDC-Lanai, Hawaii-DC
Aspen InstituteConference$11,325.00 3/24/2008 Rep OH
Ed WhitfieldDC-Lanai, Hawaii-DC
Aspen InstituteConference$12,008.00 3/24/2008 Rep Ky
NOTES: Data was last available, courtesy of the House Office of the Clerk and Senate Office of Public Records, on Friday, May 16, 2008.
Individual travel expenses for the Aspen Institute conference ranged from $1,845 to $12,376. Come on, was all that expense really necessary? Do tell, what did your trip accomplish? Have you published a detailed paper on your trip? If so, where is it available for public viewing, on your web site? How about an itemization of expenses?
Tom PriceAtlanta-Dresden, Germany-Vaduz, Liechtenstein-Atlanta
International Mgmt/Development InstituteConference$17,381.00 02/16/2008 Rep GA
