Elected As Cost Cutters, GOP Freshmen Will Party With Fatcats Tonight [View All]

Source: ABC News

Tea Party Populists Will Be Among Republicans At Private High Roller Gala

They were elected on a promise to bring a frugal, belt-tightening agenda to a Congress known for profligate spending. But as the new, Republican House majority got set to take command, a dozen GOP freshmen were headed to the luxurious W Hotel for a gala fundraiser that commanded $50,000 for VIP guests.

The event scheduled for tonight – which is closed to the press -- will be held at a hotel that describes its own accommodations as "over the top," and will include a private concert by country music star Leann Rimes. The invite, sent to lobbyists, wealthy donors and political action committees, comes from America's New Majority, a group of newly minted Republican congressmen that includes a half-dozen of the victorious Tea Party members.

Tickets are $2,500 per person, and a book of eight tickets and a VIP suite will set a donor back $50,000, according to the invite.

A sure sign the event is cutting against the GOP message of austerity was the frosty response from incoming House Speaker John Boehner, who tops the list of "invited guests."

"The speaker designate is not planning to attend," Boehner Press Secretary Michael Steel told ABC News.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/elected-cost-cutters-gop-freshmen-party-fatcats-tonight/story?id=12537584