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Congress's Travel Tab Swells - Spending on Taxpayer-Funded T

Wall Street Journal -- WASHINGTON -- Spending by lawmakers on taxpayer-financed trips abroad has risen sharply in recent years, a Wall Street Journal analysis of travel records shows, involving everything from war-zone visits to trips to exotic spots such as the Galápagos Islands.

The spending on overseas travel is up almost tenfold since 1995, and has nearly tripled since 2001, according to the Journal analysis of 60,000 travel records. 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 cost of so-called congressional delegations, known among lawmakers as "codels," has risen nearly 70% since 2005, when an influence-peddling scandal led to a ban on travel funded by lobbyists, according to the data.

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Submitted Jul 02, 2009 By: REDROCKER55

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kenjamin5150 Rookie Author Lincoln Posts:6 Points:1,450 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 10:20:23 AM Ignore kenjamin5150 Report Abuse Why blame just the Dem's? Members from both parties fatten themselves at the taxpayer expense. Why? Because they can and will still get elected. Everyone complains and then votes for the same guy that is only looking out for the people that line his pockets with donations instead of looking out for the best interests of the USA and it's average citizen.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:8,170 Points:458,005 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:22:38 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse oh wait.. yes, waste of taxpayers money to buy fossil fuel assisted transportation. Hmmm.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:8,170 Points:458,005 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:21:53 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse what exactly does this have to do with gas / energy?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:8,170 Points:458,005 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:21:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July and thank you to all military folks who make another safe one possible.
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,447 Points:404,380 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:23:37 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Change you can believe in? Change will come in 2010 YES WE CAN!!!
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,664 Points:685,675 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:03:37 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices? It means after the Democrats is finished , We won't be able to buy GAS.
clement007 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,254 Points:708,500 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:42:26 PM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse Thanks Democrats.Make us suffer while you live high and mighty off of our hard earned money.
Tenshot All-Star Author Quad Cities Posts:604 Points:824,630 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:42:57 PM Ignore Tenshot Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices?
jmuse Champion Author Long Island Posts:2,219 Points:445,370 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:16:36 PM Ignore jmuse Report Abuse oh boy what a surprise
MPGKing All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:842 Points:214,630 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:14:49 PM Ignore MPGKing Report Abuse When there's no accountability the rats will play.
cincidap Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,810 Points:551,250 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:53:41 PM Ignore cincidap Report Abuse Poor naive voters who thought this was the sole domain of Wall Street. There is nothing worse than a limousine liberal.
TomT2Lee Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,166 Points:1,025,010 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:53:05 PM Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse It is past time for the US government to be reformed. They have just about destroyed the country, stolen the peoples money all the while living like they are kings instead of servants of the people. We the people are going to have to take back our country.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,100 Points:653,605 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:42:57 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Lobbyists are no longer allowed to pay, but they keep on traveling and we "joe taxpayer" now picks up the bill. Thanks Democrats. Way to lead the way.
Bat99 Veteran Author Denver Posts:368 Points:123,065 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:42:08 PM Ignore Bat99 Report Abuse Is there a problem with lawmakers traveling? That's what the country voted for wasn't it! The Democratic party didn't get the name "Tax and Spend" for nothing. But really I guess it's G.W.s' fault isn't it?
royallyripped Rookie Author Iowa Posts:19 Points:367,755 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:41:38 PM Ignore royallyripped Report Abuse It's easier than that. Throw them all out of office in the next election. Show them that the people have the power.
eights Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,808 Points:484,085 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:41:30 PM Ignore eights Report Abuse somehow we always are getting the shaft
freerobert Sophomore Author California Posts:245 Points:360,475 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:38:45 PM Ignore freerobert Report Abuse Maybe they should walk. Give them a lot ot time to think. They should have to pay out of the own pockets, not the taxpayers. Seems that they all go on the same mission. Oh, a short vacation.
mdegug Champion Author Rochester Posts:1,060 Points:389,175 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:31:29 PM Ignore mdegug Report Abuse we're still getting scammed and it will continue
mach1lives Sophomore Author Riverside Posts:183 Points:477,685 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:24:00 PM Ignore mach1lives Report Abuse were getting scammed, but what else is new
mwo Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:197 Points:750,775 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:19:12 PM Ignore mwo Report Abuse Looks like the public gets scammed again
bigmaninarig Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,906 Points:513,895 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 9:16:36 PM Ignore bigmaninarig Report Abuse OK
kellerman Champion Author Maine Posts:1,014 Points:375,460 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:48:18 PM Ignore kellerman Report Abuse a ban on travel should be used again
mreMN Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:346 Points:145,140 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:47:36 PM Ignore mreMN Report Abuse I don't like what I'm hearing.
purvismike Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,495 Points:301,910 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:47:34 PM Ignore purvismike Report Abuse Do as I say not as I do!!!
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:3,504 Points:407,890 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:46:33 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse It said in the article that they have an unlimited budget. Obviously the sky's the limit.
seville04 Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:2,360 Points:986,430 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:44:08 PM Ignore seville04 Report Abuse Sure, why not?
mike911 Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,088 Points:1,048,715 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:43:49 PM Ignore mike911 Report Abuse Is there a limit on travel spending?
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,863 Points:557,065 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:41:13 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse Washington bureaucrats have historically never had any trouble spending money that didn't come out of their own personal pocket. Since last summer, that increased ten-fold. Time to get the career dead weight out of Washington and fill the vacancies with reasonable, prudent thinking representatives of the American taxpayers.
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:5,996 Points:1,104,370 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:41:03 PM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse We have the power (at the ballot box) and the ability, should we choose to exercise it, to get rid of thes3e joy-riding politicos who are hell-bent on spending us blind! Any "fact-finding" tour of a vacation spot ought to be published, and if the CongressCritter can't explain it, S/HE should reimburse US (after all, the government is OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE... and not to fund some jack-legs vacation plans!)
CUBBUC Champion Author Florida Posts:3,123 Points:425,040 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:34:56 PM Ignore CUBBUC Report Abuse First, I will LAUGH at The STUPIDITY of American Voters...( After 10 Seconds)...Now....I am RALPHING!!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
kruk Champion Author London Posts:2,314 Points:262,585 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:33:04 PM Ignore kruk Report Abuse hey, travel is fun - and if someone will pick the tab why not - what a corruption even russia would be embarrassed
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:11,967 Points:2,378,020 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:31:17 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Both the Democrats and Republicans are guilty of junkets. However, with the Democrats in control of the purse strings for the past two and a half years there appears to be less controls on spending.
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,645 Points:327,855 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:30:37 PM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse I guess they have places to go and people to see to make our country what it is today.
SSchmidty Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,464 Points:660,515 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:25:40 PM Ignore SSchmidty Report Abuse This is NOT good stewardship good buddy!!!
Vette1967 All-Star Author Albany Posts:772 Points:174,910 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:24:43 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse They just don't get it. Imagine the per diem rates these individuals are all getting while out sightseeing when the rest of the countrys workers are losing their jobs, families and self esteem. I bet they all bitched during their campaigns about the Republicans doing it so they would be voted in. So now that the Democrats are in, they too are now abusing the program. They should all sit their fat asses down and get working on the problems WE have hired them to do right here. Where's President Obama's disciplinary actions when you need it? Make them pay it all back or lay them off!!!! Only then will they know what it's like in the real world.
FuelBarge Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,274 Points:925,890 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:22:49 PM Ignore FuelBarge Report Abuse I would be more than willing to finance the travel of members of congress provided they are for one-way tickets out of this country with no hope of return.
PissedCanuck Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,145 Points:681,475 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:18:31 PM Ignore PissedCanuck Report Abuse Congress is going green alright - the color green is the color of our money that they are going through. By the end of the day, taxpayers will be seeing red, the same color that'll come out of those in that Congress. [Edited by: PissedCanuck at 7/2/2009 9:19:50 PM EST]
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,368 Points:595,105 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:17:03 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Great my tax dollars hard at work.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,335 Points:423,825 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:12:48 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse They want u to be so green, but whats green about that? & what the h_ll are they doing that with our money for? [Edited by: playtimeCLE at 7/2/2009 9:13:02 PM EST]
channce All-Star Author Columbus Posts:882 Points:367,470 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:12:08 PM Ignore channce Report Abuse The government is out of control. That's what happens when you vote the same scoundrels into office over and over. That includes the opposition candidates who have made a career out of politics. We need fresh faces drawn from regular people and we need to change those faces regularly. Anything less and you can kiss off what a free and responsible society is supposed to be all about. Simply pointing fingers and saying, "my guy can do it better than your guy" isn't enough. Both parties are morally bankrupt and we had better understand that in a hurry and vote in a whole lot of different folks and create new responsible parties because that is what it will take.
sickboy774 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,658 Points:550,870 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:09:40 PM Ignore sickboy774 Report Abuse "That's a 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago." makes you wonder what their definition of a "common man" is.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,586 Points:1,092,100 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:08:48 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse This is old news, heard this months ago on TV and was both political parties.
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,129 Points:411,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:07:22 PM Ignore Romey08 Report Abuse Gov't perks gone wild
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:2,323 Points:611,120 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:57:42 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse I'M SURE!
streetcars Champion Author Toledo Posts:6,426 Points:1,471,950 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:55:30 PM Ignore streetcars Report Abuse We should do to them what they did to the auto executives
krisli Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,023 Points:781,890 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:55:06 PM Ignore krisli Report Abuse Doesn't surprise me either
CoffeeTrader Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,412 Points:443,680 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:53:42 PM Ignore CoffeeTrader Report Abuse Maybe they could allow for less trips or less individuals or less individuals per trip.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,031 Points:1,176,535 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:49:02 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse Of course their travel costs went up! So did mine and everyone's given the sharp increase in fuel costs during this period! And the absence of lobbyist-funded trips. Anyway, what's this have to do with gas prices? Or is this a new category: Know-Nothing diatribes against government? [Edited by: jay4 at 7/2/2009 8:54:51 PM EST]
TRAIN RIDER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,430 Points:1,629,085 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:43:58 PM Ignore TRAIN RIDER Report Abuse WHY NOT. THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR IT, WE ARE. ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE FOR WASTING MONEY. WHAT THE HECK IF YOU COMPARE IT TO HOW MUCH MONEY WE ARE SPENDING WITH OBAMA IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET.
redrooster37 Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,460 Points:868,215 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:41:56 PM Ignore redrooster37 Report Abuse Think of all the wasted fuel driving up the price of oil. Maybe if they spent more time in the US they could vote on drilling for more oil here. So why does a democrat controlled Congress need to waste more money, is this looking out for the little guy. We need another change that we can actually believe in.......2010 is not soon enough....