"Congress Went to Denmark, You Got the Bill"

[BennyD]

(CBS) 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.

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.

<SNIP>

Here's a Link to the full article for those interested. The article has links to expense reports as well.

[atreides1]

1. Should have went with Orbitz

Or talked to William Shatner.:D

[BennyD]

7. ha ha...good one. : ) n/t

[PuraVidaDreamin]

2. They should have slept in tents!

This is just more of the same!

[marmar]

3. Use Priceline next time, fools !!!!

nt

[Winterblues]

4. Last week, we asked him about the $2,200-a-day bill for room and food.

That is for over twenty one people. A hundred dollars a night per person is not unreasonable by USA standards.. I do not know about Copenhagen though. It may be outrageous over there. Part of being the people's Representatives is we will provide for them while traveling for our interests..There are a Hell of a lot more things to be outraged over. Almost everything from the previous Administration are ten times more outrageous than this piddling matter.

[Spoonman]

6. $2,200 EACH! = $46,200 for the group!

In other words, they spent roughly the median annual household income for americans in ONE fucking night!
Far from "piddling" given it is the "norm" for DC asslicks!

[Winterblues]

8. I read it a bit differently

:shrug: I will reread the article..I guess I missed the word each.. That changes my entire position..:spank: I need to learn to read i guess

[blueworld]

5. And Congress is full of rich folks on their own...sigh.

Why do financially well-off people who travel with "staffs" that do everything for them need to stay in 5-star hotels anyway? Can't they bunch up & stay in a Comfort Inn if they have to go in winter forbeetsakes?

I'd like to see those 106 environmentally concerned people travel in summer & stay in a few good tents & pop-ups. Good grief.

[MadHound]

9. All that money spent and not a damn thing accomplished

Where can I get a job like that?

[Dappleganger]

10. Nobody will ever take the dems seriously if shit like this continues to happen.

We have to be different!