Louisiana Members (Congress) Hosted by Interests

[AnnInLa]

Louisiana members hosted by interests

Industry-paid travel totaled $174,309 in '04

By GERARD SHIELDS
[e-mail]
Advocate Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- During the last few decades, perks enjoyed by members of Congress have dwindled. For example, money they once earned making speeches now has to be donated to charity.

Yet one gift remains: free trips often to posh locations paid for by companies and industries with interests in federal legislation.

Last year, Louisiana Congress members and their staff members went on 70 trips worth $174,309, according to federal travel records reviewed. The jaunts spanned the globe from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Kona, Hawaii. And the excursions all were taken on someone else's dime, ranging from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle to the Grocery Manufacturers Association of America.

Even though the trips remain legal, citizens groups decry them as unnecessary.

"We are not opposed to members traveling, we think it's important to see the country and the world," said Common Cause spokeswoman Mary Boyle. "What's a concern is when these companies use these trips to cozy up to a member. It gives the company an entree that the public doesn't have."

http://2theadvocate.com/stories/030605/new_travel001.shtml