Senator Cornyn(R)-Texas (who voted against the stimulus) seems to have no problem going to the taxpayer trough when it benefits himself...
THINK PROGRESS http://thinkprogress.org/... has reported the following:
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has tried to portray himself as an upstanding lawmaker dedicated to fiscal restraint. He has frequently criticized "wasteful spending" in the federal government and even called President Obama’s spending plans "reckless."
Last month, Politico published a chart illustrating the transportation costs from the offices of all 100 U.S. Senators. Topping off the list was Cornyn, who has spent over $150,000 on travel costs during the first half of the 2009 fiscal year.
Well that seems pretty high - $150,000 in just 6 months!! I guess GW was his hero in taking trips. By the way, Cornyn likes to fly first class off the taxpayers dime...
Moreover, California Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who represent a state similar to Texas in size and population (and one that’s further away from Washington, DC), spent less than Cornyn on travel combined (Boxer $72,473; Feinstein $29,917; Total $102,390).
Anyways, how much does it cost a Senator to go from DC to MD for a 3 day trip? No you are wrong, try about $55,000.
But also, WFAA reports that Cornyn and his staff spent more than $55,000 in taxpayer money on a three day retreat to St. Michaels, MD in February and that "a third of the costs, $17,353, was Cornyn’s alone"
You know how hard it is being a Senator, things can get kinda expensive going to retreats and all..
Cornyn said he does fly commercial but admitted that he also takes more expensive charter jets. When asked if he would "change anything" regarding his travel expenses, Cornyn replied, "No, I wouldn’t. I believe the travel I do is essential."
It is nice to be essential, isn't it?