Democratic Representatives Take Expensive Junkets to Israel

Democratic Representatives from Illinois accepted expensive "tours" in Israel paid for by a pro-Israel group.
While our President is trying to resolve the conflicts there and has asked for discontinuation of expansion of Israeli settlements into the West Bank, and his request has been blown off by Netanyahu, this seems like an unwise action by the Representatives.

It's good for them to study this very important and controversial region, but shouldn't they do it with their own money?

Quigley, Rep. Mike (-IL)
08/09/09-08/16/09 Quigley, Rep. Mike (-IL)
Tel Aviv, Israel
Attended tours and meetings to learn more about the U.S.-Israel relationship $18,755.18


Foster, Rep. Bill (-IL)
08/08/09-08/21/09 Foster, Rep. Bill (-IL)
Tel Aviv, Israel
Attended meetings and tours to learn more about the U.S.-Israel relationship $18,955.50


Bean, Rep. Melissa (-IL)
08/08/09-08/16/09 Bean, Rep. Melissa (-IL)
Tel Aviv, Israel
Attended meetings and tours to learn about the U.S.-Israel relationship $16,226.18
http://www.legistorm.com/trip/list/by/sponsor/id/4922/name/American_Israel_Education_Foundation.html

Founded in 1989, The American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF) is an organization established to maintain and further the understanding of the issues affecting relations between the United States and Israel through information and education provided to public and private parties interested in such relations. Programs include educational programs such as policy conferences, internships, campus newsletters and other materials; educational travel programs to Israel; and funding publications of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Near East Research, Inc.
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3265

Are they trying to help the Republicans take over in 2010?

Honestly, in terms of VIP travel, under $20K for a trip to Israel is pretty basic, no? Considering they probably take a couple staffers with them, fly international first class with no advance booking, stay at secured hotels, and have other travel security expenses...

I'm sure R representatives take similar trips costing as much or more all the time...

Hell, that's an afternoon's clothes shopping in NYC for Sarah Palin.

I'm NOT defending it. Just saying it's like reporting that "water is wet."

for decades the summer junket season is a just a fact of life. Republican and Demoratic Congressmen all use the program. Sometimes there is serious work accomplished (a rare occurance) most of the time it more like a paid vacation.

so they can get both sides of the story. Otherwise, they're not really 'fact' finding.

Those twenty-five Republicans who took this trip paid for by a pro-Israel group are doing what Republicans do. But I vote the Democratic ticket, and I expect Democratic Representatives to be better than that. I don't think that they are beyond criticism.

And it isn't how much the trip cost that I care about. It's who paid for it. If Representatives want to learn about a country, they should pay for it themselves so as to be able to stay neutral.

As others have said, fact finding tours are part of a Congresscritter's job. I'm familiar with the AIEF...and have donated in the past. The purpose of these "junkets" is to not only meet current Israeli leaders but also membesr of the opposition and, if possible, exchanges with Palestinians. But as usual, any reference to Israel must mean some nefarious motives invovled.

BTW...try to price airplane and hotel prices abroad these days? The US dollar doesn't go very far...plane fare starts at around $3gs and then each of these reps spent at least 8 days (hotel at least $200 a day and then transportation and security)...overall, sounds like they got a pretty good rate.