Ten Lawmakers, led by Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), Plus Six Spouses, Went on Global-Warming Trip, Hitting Tourist Hot Spots, at the Taxpayers' Expense

Path of Globetrotting Lawmakers (Wall Street Journal)

When the US Congress wants to study climate change, what do the politicians do? Well, the gang of 10 went diving and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, rode a cable car through the Australian rain forest and visited a penguin rookery, as well as flew to the South Pole starting Dec. 29, 2007. Wait, there's more. The 11-day trip, paid for by us, U.S. taxpayer, also included six spouses. But why is this little excursion now being revealed? The Wall Street Journal, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. just happened to be doing an "analysis." This revelation also comes on the heels of a recent disclosure that the House of Representatives allocated $550 million to upgrade the fleet of luxury Air Force jets used for trips such as this excursion, even though the Defense Department said that it doesn't need all the planes and after the Big Three Automakers' CEOs were excoriated for coming to the Capitol to beg for money flying in private jets.

The South Pole excursion, led by Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) reportedly cost us $103,000. Of course, as the WSJ points out, that cost doesn't include the actual flying. That figure, however, doesn't include the actual flying, because the trip used the Air Force planes, not commercial carriers. Flight costs would lift the total tab to more than $500,000, based on Defense Department figures for aircraft per-hour operating costs.

Lawmakers say the trip offered them a valuable chance to learn about global warming and to monitor how federal funds are spent. "The trip we made was more valuable than 100 hearings," said Rep. Baird, its leader. "Are there members of Congress who take trips somewhat recreationally? Perhaps. Is this what this trip was about? Absolutely not," according to the Wall Street Journal. It seems to me that they had more fun and less work. Why was there such a big contingent on this trip? That was clearly a waste of precious financial resources.

The gang of 10:

Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) (202) 225-3536

Rep. Russ Carnahan (D - Mo.) -- brought spouse on the trip (202) 225-2671

Rep. Bob Inglis (R - S.C.) (202) 225-6030

Rep. Charles Melancon (D - La.) -- brought spouse on the trip (202) 225-4031

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R - Tx.) -- brought spouse on the trip (325) 675-9779

Rep. Mike Ross (D - Ark.) -- brought spouse on the trip (202) 225-3772

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D - Calif.) (202) 225-2965

Rep. Adrian Smith (R - Neb.) (202) 225-6435

Rep. John Tanner (D - Tenn.) -- brought spouse on the trip (202) 225-4714

It seems like taxpayer-funded travel for Congress is booming. A Wall Street Journal analysis has shown that legislators and aides reported spending about $13 million on overseas trips last year, a nearly 10-fold jump since 1995. How can our congressional leaders tell the chief executives of companies such as Bank of America, General Motors, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that they have runaway spending when they are guilty of the same thing. It is high time that we held our elected officials to fiscal responsibility with our money.

To read the entire Wall Street Journal article, CLICK HERE.