Americans scrimp while Congress travels, gives staff bonuses - Sun-Sentinel
South Florida U.S. Reps. Allen West and Frederica Wilson were among 81 members of the House of Representatives who traveled to Israel in August, flying business class and staying in luxury hotels for a week of meetings and sightseeing paid for by the charitable arm of a pro-Israel lobby.
In June, Wilson spent two days at a beachfront resort in the Bahamas, courtesy of the Bethune-Cookman University alumni association.
Democrat Wilson, who represents part of Broward, went to Nassau to accept an award from the university president and met with Bahamian officials while there, and the trip to Israel was "far from a vacation,'' said spokesman Mahen Gunaratna. It "included a rigorous itinerary, including high-level meetings'' with Middle Eastern leaders.
West, a Plantation Republican, said the security of Israel "is an important issue to me, as well as many of my constituents.''
"No funding for this trip came from the American taxpayer,'' said West, whose wife accompanied him. "The nonprofit American Israel Education Foundation, the sponsor for the trip, believes it is essential for both Republican and Democrat members of Congress to see the Jewish homeland and to hear directly from Israeli leadership and its citizens."
At a time of economic uncertainty and with millions of Americans out of work, members of Congress continue to enjoy the benefits of having one of the best jobs in the country. At a salary of $174,000 a year, generous health care and pension benefits and travel that sometimes includes free trips for family members, elected leaders in Washington are far better off than the average American.
West and other Florida representatives told the Sun Sentinel they're mindful of the suffering at home and have cut back on expenses. But some practices have continued.
At least six Florida members of Congress gave bonuses to their employees at the end of last year, including Democratic Reps. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, records show.
"We just find it's a carrot for employees,'' said Jonathan Beeton, a spokesman for Wasserman Schultz. "They know that stellar work will be recognized with a monetary bonus at the end of the year.''
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney awarded "performance-based'' bonuses of up to about $6,000 but hasn't decided whether he will again this year. "Congressman Rooney will take into account budget realities and performance when determining whether to award similar payments this year,'' said Michael Mahaffey, a spokesman for the Tequesta Republican.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, was among the most generous of Florida representatives, giving 18 of her staff members payments ranging from $900 to $12,500, records show.
"I reward my staff at my own discretion based on performance,'' she said. "Every member is given a yearly operating budget and the record will reflect that every year my office comes in under budget.''
Miami Republican U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart stopped giving bonuses in 2009.
"It's not because people don't deserve them, but the reality is, just look outside,'' said Diaz-Balart, whose district includes part of Broward. "Look what's going on in the economy where people can't find jobs, people are losing their homes. I thought we really just have to lead by example.''
Florida's two U.S. senators said they've also cut back. Democrat Bill Nelson has eliminated staff bonuses, and first-term Republican Marco Rubio voluntarily cut his office budget by 10 percent, spokesmen said.
In a belt-tightening gesture, House representatives took a 5 percent cut this year in their annual allowance of about $1.5 million each for staff salaries, district office rent, mailings and other expenses. Congress also voted to forgo a cost-of-living increase for themselves.
In recognition of the economy, several representatives said they're scrimping where possible to save taxpayer dollars. Wasserman Schultz installed a water cooler in her office on Capitol Hill to save about $800 a year on bottled water, her spokesman said. Aides are also sharing rental cars when they travel.
For congressmen and women and their employees traveling on official business, expenses come out of their allowance, but members also can accept trips paid for by private organizations.
The visit to Israel during the August congressional break is a regular event organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, but the delegation this year was among the largest and included many new representatives from both parties. The foundation paid about $10,000 per person and invited spouses; some congressmen instead brought children or other relatives.
They stayed at top-notch hotels with room rates of up to $400 a night, according to travel disclosure reports filed by representatives. The agenda included meetings and tours of Jerusalem and Bethlehem organized by the foundation, which paid all expenses, including for private security, meals, tips and a photographer.
Wilson participated "to reaffirm her personal commitment to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship,'' said her spokesman, Gunaratna. "Her visit sends exactly the right message: that Israel is and will always be one of our closest friends and allies.''
As a guest of the Bethune-Cookman alumni this summer, Wilson flew to the Bahamas and stayed two nights at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort at a cost to her hosts of $1,000. The theme of the annual alumni convention: "It's better in the Bahamas.''
Wilson "represents one of the largest concentrations of Caribbean-Americans in the country,'' Gunaratna said. "Her visit, which included meetings with the prime minister and national security minister, was also an opportunity to deepen the relationship between her district and our Caribbean neighbor.''
Other trips taken by members of Congress this year include a retreat in Simi Valley, Calif., in January called "In the Steps of Reagan,'' sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. House Republican attendees, including one from Central Florida, flew coach but stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel at a cost to organizers of $225 a night.
skestin@tribune.com or 954-356-4510
18 Sep, 2011--
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFsKcDFxk3MaePFvAZgYWYcY2Qr_g&url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fll-congress-spending-travel-20110917,0,703822.story
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com
