Sunday's Wall Street Journal scrutinized a 10-member congressional delegation’s trip to the South Pole over New Year’s 2008. Louisiana Congressman Charlie Melancon was on the 11-day, six-stop trip that included a bit of snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, a cable car through the Australian rain forest, a visit to a penguin rookery and one night’s stay at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Melancon was one of six members to bring along his spouse, though his wife’s traveling expenses were only partially covered by taxpayers. A Journal analysis shows congressional trips overseas are on the rise, with legislators and aides having reported spending about $13 million on overseas trips last year, a nearly 10-fold jump since 1995.
The South Pole trip, led by Rep. Brian Baird (D., Wash.), ranks among the priciest. The lawmakers reported a cost to taxpayers of $103,000.Congressman Melancon’s spokesperson Robin Winchell has issued the following response:
That figure, however, doesn’t include the actual flying, because the trip used the Air Force planes, not commercial carriers. Flight costs would lift the total tab to more than $500,000, based on Defense Department figures for aircraft per-hour operating costs.
Lawmakers say the trip offered them a valuable chance to learn about global warming and to monitor how federal funds are spent. 'The trip we made was more valuable than 100 hearings,' said Rep. Baird, its leader. 'Are there members of Congress who take trips somewhat recreationally? Perhaps. Is this what this trip was about? Absolutely not.'
As a representative of a coastal state that is suffering from rising
seas levels and more intense, more frequent hurricanes, Congressman
Melancon is very concerned about climate change. He participated in the
Congressional trip to Antarctica to gain first-hand and academic look at
the science of this issue, and learn from scientists who are on the
cutting edge of studying climate change.
He believes we must work together as a nation to reduce the carbon
pollution causing this climate change, but not on the back of
Louisiana’s energy industry that provides good jobs to hundreds of
thousands of workers in our state.
While he was not able to support the climate change bill that passed the
House in June, Congressman Melancon is committed to working with his
colleagues on a comprehensive energy policy that will meet the shared
goal of reducing pollution, while also protecting the economy of his
state.
As for Mrs. Melancon’s participation, I think it’s important to emphasize that Congressman Melancon and his wife wrote a personal check for all additional expenses incurred by Mrs. Melancon’s participation. Congressman Melancon’s wife has been his partner for 37 years, and he
values the insight and perspective she offers.
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As anyone who has ever travelled can tell you, it simply isn't possible to appreciate something empirically, without the added power of direct witness. That goes for cultural concerns, as well as scientific. Science offers us a way to understand our world, directly, and remotely. However, as any wetlands soil scientist or biologist can tell you, sometimes you do just have to go dig in the mud to find what you are looking for.
We have only 435 members of Congress for 300 million Americans. On an issue of this gravity, it's a good thing some of them at least have their minds open to consideration on this issue. It would have been preferable to see the Congressman vote for a bill that made our country a more efficient, less polluting user of energy resources. I trust that he will still do this in the short and long terms.
To do so, will in the long view, make our state richer and more secure through renewable energy systems, such as algal oil, and less of the polluted, exploitable industrial tail-pipe of this country that it has been.