I love the arrogance of
John Sweeney (R-NY). After catching some heat for his ski trip with the pharmaceutical industry while at the same time talking up "reform" he goes
right ahead with another one. And for this trip he was warned by the House Ethics Comittee that he should take steps to make sure it didn't look like the event was "endorsed by the House". More on the flip.
From the Syracuse Post Standard:
The New York Power Authority used public money to pay for a $25,000 ski weekend for Rep. John Sweeney, of New York; a Texas congressman and his wife; at least a dozen lobbyists; and other D.C. staffers in Lake Placid.
Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, told House and Senate ethics committees that the annual Congressional Winter Challenge is an official fact-finding business trip.
Apparently fact finding is what its called these days? I thought these were called "boondoggles".
But this is all work. It is not a party. How do we know? Mr. Sweeney told us.
With Sweeney's word that it was not a party, the ethics committees in the House and Senate signed off on the trip.
So, Mr. Sweeney's says it wasn't illegal. That is good enough for them. What else does he say?
The invitation reads, "While this trip has proven itself to be an enjoyable one for delegation members in the past, it is, nevertheless, an official trip authorized by the House and Senate Ethics Committees...intended to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress and Congressional staff to inspect and evaluate the manner in which federal funds have been used to strengthen the area's tourism industry."
Inspecting the manner in which federal funds have been used has "proven to be enjoyable" in the past. I really wish all these criminals would head over to Iraq and spend some time inspecting the manner in which federal funds were being used.
And then in what has to be one of my all time favorite glimpses into how our elected officials are screwing us all over...
The House committee warned Sweeney in a letter last fall he should be careful to let the Olympics groups invite guests to avoid the appearance of an endorsement by the House.
In order to cover your tracks, Mr. Sweeney, we recommend throwing an even bigger party. Criminals. All paid for with tax dollars. I think next year some of us should go along and inspect and evaluate how our dollars are being spent. Unless, of course, we are being represented by Kirsten Gillibrandinstead of Mr. Sweeney, which of course means the trip won't happen.
Hat tip to TrueBlue20. Cross posted at DIA.