House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) picked who got to fly to Copenhagen to “attend” the U.N. climate summit, which as we all know, turned out to be a disaster. It was a waste of carbon and apparently, taxpayer money:
Our investigation found that the congressional delegation was so large, it needed three military jets: two 737′s and a Gulfstream Five — up to 64 passengers — traveling in luxurious comfort.
Add senators and staff, most of whom flew commercial, and we counted at least 101 Congress-related attendees. All for a summit that failed to deliver a global climate deal.
As a perk, some took spouses, since they could snag an open seat on a military jet or share a room at no extra cost to taxpayers. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was there with her husband. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) was also there with her husband. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) took his wife, as did Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Congressman Barton — a climate change skeptic — even brought along his daughter.
They stayed at the 5-star Marriott and I’m sure ate some nice, expensive meals — all on the American taxpayer’s dime.
First, why was there a need for such a large entourage? I can understand if Pelosi and maybe one other Congress member wanted to go. But 101 attendees?
And what example did this demonstrate to the world? That the U.S. is keenly aware of carbon footprints? No! It’s no wonder other nations wouldn’t take us seriously at the conference — just look at how much carbon Pelosi and her gang spewed out to fly there.
At a time when Americans are losing their homes, savings, and jobs, the government continues to spend, spend, spend. And in this case, spend on unnecessary things, wasting our tax dollars.
