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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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redrooster37 Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,535 Points:882,065 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:41:56 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....
GooseMI Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:5,053 Points:1,020,745 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:38:20 PM Ignore GooseMI Report Abuse And this deals with gas prices how?
Demaro Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,251 Points:185,300 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:30:05 PM Ignore Demaro Report Abuse Doesn't surprise me
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,941 Points:687,420 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:27:48 PM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse They're always wasting our money and always looking for ways to waste it, spend it, tax us more, pay themselves more and fill their pockets before, during and after election times. I think it's sick and they need to be stopped! Go to a tea party!
gibber73 Sophomore Author Columbus Posts:165 Points:208,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:25:36 PM Ignore gibber73 Report Abuse Doesn't surprise me any
snewwee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,969 Points:1,010,105 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:21:19 PM Ignore snewwee Report Abuse Legislators don't bat an eye when it comes to spending someone else's money.
MINER Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,426 Points:2,468,370 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:21:16 PM Ignore MINER Report Abuse This must relate to gas prices some how, I just cant figure out how.. Conserve, conserve, conserve....
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:4,640 Points:1,353,120 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:17:21 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Off topic but it explains why so little gets done. The lobbies control Congress, not the voters.
pigmanTX Champion Author Houston Posts:1,281 Points:369,735 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:11:48 PM Ignore pigmanTX Report Abuse Off topic.
RobRD Champion Author Alberta Posts:3,828 Points:896,020 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:10:48 PM Ignore RobRD Report Abuse What does this have to do with price of gasoline.
4X4Lady Champion Author Wyoming Posts:6,506 Points:388,645 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:10:32 PM Ignore 4X4Lady Report Abuse And the politicians word to us.....SHUT AND DEAL WITH IT THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT MR.TAXPAYER.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,975 Points:574,925 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:08:56 PM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse More like what has the government NOT bloated lately????
imnohero Veteran Author Detroit Posts:368 Points:62,255 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:07:00 PM Ignore imnohero Report Abuse Oh thats nothing, think about how many billion dollars the Governement gives NASA. So NASA can spend billions in space to see if there was water on Mars millions of years ago. The "space race" has turned into the "space waste". You can miss quote me on that one if I'm wrong too.
thomas41546 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:3,014 Points:1,375,750 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:03:30 PM Ignore thomas41546 Report Abuse electing new congress will never change the precedent already set.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,343 Points:1,161,685 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:03:19 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse if people would not vote in the same people then things like this might not happen so much
captngasTN Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,730 Points:423,390 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 8:01:22 PM Ignore captngasTN Report Abuse If you don't like what your reading, elections are not far away.
SngSingapore Sophomore Author Vancouver Posts:172 Points:126,965 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:59:18 PM Ignore SngSingapore Report Abuse they ought to spare some thoughts for us before implementation on the jump
kidrockTX Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,854 Points:507,845 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:57:20 PM Ignore kidrockTX Report Abuse we need a real congress one without democrats in it and the white house too!
donny47 All-Star Author New Hampshire Posts:822 Points:346,145 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:48:16 PM Ignore donny47 Report Abuse politicians are all the same.ripping off the taxpayers!
MissRita Champion Author Austin Posts:1,040 Points:423,790 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:46:55 PM Ignore MissRita Report Abuse I so don't believe it
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,530 Points:944,150 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:42:39 PM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse Hey Gang: Pick up the article just posted on the yahoo Home Page about the obscene amount of money being paid to Obie's staffers....really looking out for the taxpayers! HA! This will make you sick!
Beboper Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,752 Points:1,182,410 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:42:16 PM Ignore Beboper Report Abuse I would like to afford to go somewhere could they theow some of that money my way
OKRifle Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,850 Points:844,095 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:40:30 PM Ignore OKRifle Report Abuse The Democrats are spending our grandchildrens' money like the drunken politicians they are! Lead by "Beedy-eyed" Barney Frank and "Honest" Chris Dodd!
Hemi57 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,189 Points:1,532,345 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:40:22 PM Ignore Hemi57 Report Abuse I agree with john382 & JCUBE...2010 & 2012 can't get here fast enough...Then lets get some TERM limits Too!
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:2,486 Points:101,160 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:39:41 PM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse Ask what you would do in a similar situation. Should I tour Europe to check how efficient their Airports and hotels are? Or should go back to Podunk and argue with the neighbors?
ach All-Star Author Illinois Posts:654 Points:331,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:37:29 PM Ignore ach Report Abuse Democrat or Republican, it doesn't matter, they should pay their own way. And by the way, while we're on it, we the taxpayers, who pay their wages should be the ones to vote on their pay increases. Nothing to do with the price of gas, but it's nice to vent once in a while.
john382 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,531 Points:1,510,825 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:34:52 PM Ignore john382 Report Abuse Amen Jcube could have not said it any better myself.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,530 Points:944,150 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:33:36 PM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse Set Obies ass down first, then the rest of those clowns..Remember 2010 and 2012 get rid of the vermin in washington.
Doubleeez Champion Author Connecticut Posts:2,722 Points:542,265 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:32:10 PM Ignore Doubleeez Report Abuse Stop all congressional foreign travel. Let's concentrate on things here at home.
WVPhoenix Champion Author Charleston Posts:6,624 Points:1,015,960 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:22:24 PM Ignore WVPhoenix Report Abuse Risen sharply in recent years? Because the Republicans have forgotten how the real world lives.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,229 Points:1,222,775 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:19:34 PM Ignore Helms Report Abuse esquared...you miss the point...."up 50% SINCE the democrats took control"...they just love to spend other people's money.....and never make any of their own..
VDubBill All-Star Author Jacksonville Posts:999 Points:484,575 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:19:24 PM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse Clean House 2010.
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,922 Points:1,140,955 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:11:17 PM Ignore esquared Report Abuse Scriptural adaptation: "And junketing Congressmen you will have with you always" regardless of party.
bdeagle1 Sophomore Author Texas Posts:243 Points:633,540 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:10:46 PM Ignore bdeagle1 Report Abuse Congress does what it wants and then expects all of us to make cuts or make due with what we have.
BH24 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:4,930 Points:1,116,675 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:10:26 PM Ignore BH24 Report Abuse For Exhibit A in this matter, take a look at Nancy Peloisi's travel exendatures. It doesn't matter to her as she is one of those who has no conscience regarding functioning on borrowed money and passing the bill to those who are yet unborn.
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:4,030 Points:1,188,465 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:04:46 PM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse Blood sucker!
jakTDI Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,555 Points:362,055 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:03:57 PM Ignore jakTDI Report Abuse vice good point, humble. its a shame the writer of the article could not draw the same conclusion, give the same facts. I blame canada.
pliskin Champion Author Syracuse Posts:3,190 Points:974,425 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:01:59 PM Ignore pliskin Report Abuse The country is in one of it;s worst financial situations in history and these inconsiderate fools continue business as usual. They just don't care and this is another reason that we should show them the door next November 2010.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,723 Points:647,010 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 7:01:14 PM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Congress has always taken advantage of public money to pay for their trips. Like they deserve it?
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,958 Points:1,392,015 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:58:12 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse That's a 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago. hmmmmmmmmmm
4thWatch Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,358 Points:422,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:56:17 PM Ignore 4thWatch Report Abuse Not sure what this may have to do with gas prices other than there is more jet fuel being used for all the nice vacation trips by our congressmen.
souther_pride Sophomore Author Arkansas Posts:114 Points:396,430 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:56:16 PM Ignore souther_pride Report Abuse they dont care they will spend trillons and not even think about it
jakTDI Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,555 Points:362,055 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:54:33 PM Ignore jakTDI Report Abuse no matter how you slice, these folks are traveling on our tax dollars. and since most have voted against defense spending, why are they leaving the safety of the continental US??
jakTDI Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,555 Points:362,055 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:53:01 PM Ignore jakTDI Report Abuse right, Muke.
Muke Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,778 Points:704,235 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:51:40 PM Ignore Muke Report Abuse Hypocrates, they want us to sacrifice while they are enjoying pleasure rides overseas with spouse. Average Federal employee can not buy a pencil , but our bosses in D.C. can spend without ant control.
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,392 Points:1,613,885 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:45:48 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse Just stop it!
korklenut All-Star Author Tacoma Posts:755 Points:153,655 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:43:53 PM Ignore korklenut Report Abuse No recession for congress! They don't have a clue how to cut spending; especially on themselves.
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:4,491 Points:873,325 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:34:53 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse and we have to pay there bill the change you vote for ?????????
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,218 Points:1,252,960 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:32:55 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse The life of a lawmakers, do as I say not as I do.
OleMiss79 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:6,631 Points:721,365 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:32:27 PM Ignore OleMiss79 Report Abuse What else do you expect from those who are accountable to nobody?
bad_sailor Champion Author London Posts:2,959 Points:720,155 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:32:16 PM Ignore bad_sailor Report Abuse What a shocker this is.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,089 Points:1,144,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 6:31:35 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse all the politicians do it, regardless of part affiliation.