They also paid for at least $7,569.58 worth of meals, the report indicates.
The report appears to show two trips to Vegas for Long since he has a listing for Allegiant Air, Las Vegas, $451.58 on May 21, and lists a meal at Mars Retail, Las Vegas, on April 11, with a cost of $303.74.
Trips to Las Vegas seem to be happening with regularity for Billy Long. I wrote in the Feb. 13 Turner Report:
In-person town hall meetings seem to be a thing of the past for Seventh District Congressman Billy Long, but junkets to Las Vegas, paid for by special interest groups, are on his approved list.
The Washington newspaper Roll Call reports today that the Consumer Electronics Association paid $2,000 for three days of Long's four-day stay in Sin City from Jan. 8-11. Records show Long paid his own expenses for one of the four days:
The Washington newspaper Roll Call reports today that the Consumer Electronics Association paid $2,000 for three days of Long's four-day stay in Sin City from Jan. 8-11. Records show Long paid his own expenses for one of the four days:
Travel disclosure reports filed with the House Ethics Committee show that participants used an exemption that permits additional travel time to far-off locations and paid their own hotel bills for an extra day or two, allowing them to spend several days in Vegas and still accept round-trip airfare and other expenses from the association — exactly what a 2007 rules change was supposed to eliminate.
The 110th Congress enacted new rules that bar entities that retain or employ lobbyists from sponsoring most forms of Congressional travel that last more than one day but left open the possibility that an additional night’s lodging would be approved in “exceptional” circumstances and that travelers could extend the trip out of their own pocket. Combined, the two provisions allow a one-day trip to morph into an excursion of four or more days.
“The point is to make sure these trips are business-related and do not turn into vacation junkets,” Public Citizen’s Craig Holman said. “By combining these two, it turns what should be a quick business trip into a junket. This is exactly what we wanted to stop.”
In addition to the Las Vegas trips, Long's second quarter report lists a one-night stay at the ritzy Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills for $1,004.51.
Six of Long's meals, all recorded as "Campaign Event Meal" were at the Capitol Hill Club, which was written about extensively in the April 13, 2011, Turner Report:
Seventh District Congressman Billy Long is so fed up with Washington, that one of the first things he did upon arriving in town is fork over $1,133 for membership in the exclusive Capitol Hill Club, according to his quarterly report, filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission.
Long raised $78,517 during the quarter and spent $34,813.15, leaving him with $73,263.35 in his account, according to the report.
"The club is described on its website as "a national social club for Republicans. The stately second floor Presidential Dining Room offers splendid cuisine prepared by our renowned chefs. This room is a favorite place for Senators, Representatives and their guests to dine and discuss the day’s political agenda. The dining room is open for lunch and dinner and is a superb venue for your most memorable weekend events.
"On our lower level, members enjoy the informal atmosphere of the Auchincloss Grill for breakfast, lunch, afternoon drinks and dinner. Always a popular spot, the Grill is especially busy after a late-night session of Congress.
"Named after the Club’s earlier address on C Street, the 75 Room feels like your own living room, with its sofas and nooks. The room offers wireless internet service to members for additional convenience.
"The third and fourth levels include a variety of dining and meeting rooms appropriate for all types of business and social occasions. The newly renovated fourth flour suites are an elegant setting for all events, whether a lunch meeting or evening reception. Groups from 10 to 400 can be accommodated with ease. High speed internet access is available in all our rooms.
"The third floor Bolton Room with its graceful furnishings is the perfect setting for distinctive banquets and receptions."
Of course, membership in the club might be a good thing if Long was using the access to conduct people's business, but club laws do not allow that to happen:
No member shall carry on or transact any business or indulge in the practice of any profession in the Club at any time.
The club has a strict dress code, according to the website:
Gentlemen will please wear coats and ties in the Main Dining Room. Coats with sport shirts will be acceptable throughout the other areas of the Club. Current trends dictate the acceptability of ladies’ high-fashion attire.The Capitol Hill Club meals cost $595.61, $84.97, $371.95, $31.49, $645.15, and $320.63.
Long wasn't exclusive with his use of the Capitol Hill Club. He also listed two meals at the Prime Rib, one for $292.45 and the other for $344.18. Check out the Prime Rib's menu and wine list.
Though Long faces two primary challengers in Mike Moon and Tom Stilson, most of the expenditures in his campaign account seem to have little or nothing to do with his campaign.
I wonder if there are any ladies at the aforementioned Club in Sin City who have exchanged the "high" attire expected of them for simply nothing at all. At least in some circles, Republicans and strippers go hand in hand, you know. Rick Nichols.
ReplyDeleteA quick search for "Mars Retail Las Vegas" indicates it may be the M&M's World. Yup.
ReplyDeleteI did check that out and I neglected to put anything in the post about it. Thanks for noting this. That's a lot of M&Ms.
ReplyDelete