Reply #3: Lawmaker Defends Ritzy Gala for GOP Freshmen [View All]

Source: ABC News

The freshman GOP congressman behind Tuesday night's splashy fundraiser had no misgivings about throwing the event so soon after campaigning under the Tea Party banner to change Washington.

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Denham is among a dozen freshmen, Republican lawmakers who 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, his group 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 first obtained by The Sunlight Foundation's Party Time website.



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

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I guess the GOP message is austerity for their constituents while they live it up in a huge victory lap party. We need to cut spending and cut taxes while we party like rock stars!