Thread: Congressmen Took Exotic 'Climate Change' Junket

Congressmen Took Exotic 'Climate Change' Junket

Sunday, August 9, 2009 6:23 PM

By: Chris Wessling

Diving and snorkeling at Australia's Great Barrier Reef, watching New Year's fireworks in New Zealand and sleeping in a luxury Hawaiian hotel is the vacation of a lifetime – unless you're a member of Congress. Then it's a fact-finding mission to study climate change.

Ten lawmakers – six Democrats and four Republicans – spent 11 days on an international junket in some of the most breathtaking spots on Earth, and then stuck taxpayers with the $500,000-plus bill.

According to the Wall Street Journal, six spouses also made the journey at the end of 2007, and their expenses for lodging and travel also came out of taxpayers' pockets.

“The trip we made was more valuable than 100 hearings," Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., to the Journal. “Are there members of Congress who take trips somewhat recreationally? Perhaps. Is this what this trip was about? Absolutely not.â€

Ten lawmakers – six Democrats and four Republicans – spent 11 days on an international junket in some of the most breathtaking spots on Earth, and then stuck taxpayers with the $500,000-plus bill.

Gotta love the Bi-partisanship though!

Isn't it nice to know that our tax dollars are going to such good use?
( sarcasm).