CBS News has done an investigation into the costs associated with sending a bunch of congressmen and their staff members to Copenhagen for the global warming summit in December. The numbers are pretty astounding:
Thanks to recently filed Congressional expense reports there's new light shed on the Copenhagen Climate Summit in Denmark and how much it cost taxpayers.Denmark had record cold temperatures that week - just in time to talk about global warming. Al Gore couldn't have planned it any better.
CBS News Investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports official filings and our own investigation show at least 106 people from the House and Senate attended - spouses, a doctor, a protocol expert and even a photographer.
For 15 Democratic and 6 Republican Congressmen, food and rooms for two nights cost $4,406 tax dollars each. That's $2,200 a day - more than most Americans spend on their monthly mortgage payment.
CBS News asked members of Congress and staff about whether they're mindful that it's public tax dollars they're spending. Many said they had never even seen the bills or the expense reports.
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., is a key climate change player. He went to Copenhagen last year. Last week, we asked him about the $2,200-a-day bill for room and food.
"I can't believe that," Rep. Waxman said. "I can't believe it, but I don't know."
But his name is in black and white in the expense reports. The group expense report was filed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She wouldn't talk about it when our producer tried to ask.
Pelosi's office did offer an explanation for the high room charges. Those who stayed just two nights were charged a six-night minimum at the five-star Marriott. One staffer said, they strongly objected to no avail. You may ask how they'll negotiate a climate treaty, if they can't get a better deal on hotel rooms.
Total hotel, meeting rooms and "a couple" of $1,000-a-night hospitality suites topped $400,000.
Flights weren't cheap, either. Fifty-nine House and Senate staff flew commercial during the Copenhagen rush. They paid government rates -- $5-10,000 each -- totaling $408,064. Add three military jets -- $168,351 just for flight time -- and the bill tops $1.1 million dollars -- not including all the Obama administration officials who attended: well over 60.
In fairness, many attendees told us they did a lot of hard work, and the laid groundwork for a future global treaty.
"It was cold… I was there because I thought it was important for me to be there," Rep. Waxman said. "I didn't look at it as a pleasure trip."
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5 comments:
Once when I worked in industry I learned that a particular conference in Palo Alto, CA was closely related to my research. As it was a lean year for business, my supervisor advised me to purchase a copy of the proceedings. End of discussion.
It is inconceivable that the horde of politicians, staffers and spouses should have been allowed, much less invited/told to attend. There was no need for most to be on site...communication via electronics would have been adequate.
I believe it past time that government should be required to justify the travel and attendant expenses with disallowed expenses being billed to congressional member accounts or personally.
I agree with Robert!
Here, here, Robert! The horde should be presented with their bill. Let 'em pay their own way if they're longing to enlarge their already bloated "carbon footprints."
These jerks who represent our government are nothing other than free loaders and the taxpayers expense. They should foot the bill for all of their family members as it was not necessary for them to be there. It is crazy to see how these people squander taxpayers money, they should be held accountable!!!!! There is no reason or excuse for the type of expenses they accumulated.
Au contraire, Robere--it's fully conceivable. Other than that--Spot On!
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