Billy Long report: Nearly $19K in meals, multiple trips to Las Vegas, Florida

Billy Long has not found the time to schedule a town hall meeting in the more than three years since he became Seventh District Congressman, but thanks to his campaign contributors he has been able to spend plenty of time in Las Vegas and Florida and spend nearly $19,000 for meals during the first three months of 2014.

One of Long's Las Vegas trips was well publicized as the congressman, a friend of Las Vegas casino owner and heavy-hitting GOP money man Sheldon Adelson, had the privilege of introducing former Vice President Dick Cheney Friday, March 28, during a cattle call for potential presidential candidates seeking Adelson's support. The event was held at Adelson's Venitian Hotel and Casino.

Whether Long had any other political business during the Vegas trips is not clear, but he reports paying $283.50 for a meal at the Southwest Steakhouse in Vegas on January 9, a $24.17 meal at the same establishment February 11 and an $819.05 stay at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Vegas which was listed for February 12.







It appears, though it was not mentioned in the disclosure report, that Long was at the hotel for the Safari Club International Hunters' Convention, which was held February 5-8, with Long and several of his colleagues attending.

Though Long's appearance at the Adelson event was on March 28, he is listed as spending $345.28 for "hotel-travel" at the Venitian on March 31.

Not all of the congressman's trips were out west. He spent a considerable time in Florida, according to the disclosure report, with stops in Naples, Sarasota, and Tampa, between February 18 and February 21.

On February 18, the report shows $1,143 for the Westin Tampa Harbour Island Hotel in Tampa and $484.58 for the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, and $203.01 at the Ritz-Carlton.

The February 19 tab shows $1,388.06 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, and a $563.66 meal at Stoney's Steakhouse.

Nothing is shown for February 20 in Florida, but Long rushed back to Washington and spent $1,303 for meals at Carmine's in Washington and another $323.18 at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, then returned to Florida on the 21st, Long spent $314.92 for a meal at the Waterfront Grill in Naples, $909.42 at the Ritz-Carlton, and $870.56 at the Ritz-Carlton.







During the first quarter of 2014, the disclosure forms show Long spent $18,906.72 for meals, $8,146.44 for air travel, and $6,166.52 for hotels.

The meals included the following:

-$1,325.77 at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington January 24
-$296.65 at Keen's Steakhouse in New York on January 14
-$201.33 at Bobby Van's Grill in Washington on January 16
$283.50 at the Southwest Steakhouse in Las Vegas on January 9
$563.66 at Stoney's Steakhouse in Naples, Fla. on February 19
-$1,303 at Carmine's in Washington February 20
-$314.92 at the Waterfront Grill in Naples, Fla. on February 21
-$323.18 at the Capitol Hill Club
-$409.50 at the Capital Grille in Washington February 7
-$588.50  at Monocle in Washington March 27
-$4,953.90 for an event meal at the Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield March 24
-$1,302.46 at Carmine's on March 25
-$233.88 at Capitol Hill Club on March 21
-$686.99 at Capitol Hill Club on March 20
-$573.24 at the Prime Rib in Washington on March 12
-$298.60 at the Capital Grille on March 17
-$200 at Johnny Half Shell in Washington on March 24
-$3,537.60 at the Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield on March 6

When he first ran for Congress in 2010, Billy Long's slogan was that he was "fed up." It appears that three years in Washington may have left Billy Long overfed up.