Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 11, 1994 TAG: 9407060005
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Domestic destinations were favored as well, as scores of House members reported all-expense paid trips to such locations as Sun Valley, Idaho; Sea Island, Ga.; and Palm Springs, Calif.
In a connection that sparks outrage from groups pressing for government reform, the journeys often dovetailed with lawmakers' legislative assignments.
Rep. Pat Roberts of Kansas, senior Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, reported eight all-expense paid trips in 1993. They included January travel to Marco Island, Fla., paid for by the National Pork Producers Council, and to Phoenix, courtesy of the National Cattlemen's Association.
Rep. Roy Rowland, D-Ga., a physician and member of a key health subcommittee, traveled at the expense of the Tobacco Institute to Palm Springs, Calif.; the American Medical Association to Atlanta; and the lobbying firm of Campbell Raupe Inc. to West Palm Beach, Fla.
House members are required by law to file financial disclosure statements annually that show income- including a salary of $133,600 in 1993- assets, liabilities, gifts and other material, listed by ranges rather than specific dollar amount.
They show the House has many millionaires and that numerous lawmakers hold valuable stock portfolios. Others maintain business interests as diverse as the nation's economy.
Both houses are at work on legislation that may curtail lawmakers' ability to take such trips, part of a broader drive to reform Congress.
"It's another avenue which interest groups, corporations and labor unions use to try and influence how members of Congress will act," said Josh Goldstein of the Center for Responsive Politics, a group that studies money's impact on politics.
"The ability to take a congressman to a nice locale, have them give a little talk, but essentially to give them a three- or four-day vacation where you are their constant companion, allows you to develop a friendship, a relationship with them," Goldstein said. "That is a key element in lobbying, because it's much more difficult to say no to a friend."
But Roberts said his travels were driven by "the leading issues of the day that affect my constituents and agriculture."
"I don't pick the location. I don't solicit the invitation," he said. "I know some place in Florida sounds very exotic, but usually you're getting in during the afternoon, going to a reception, making a speech and then you're out of there."
Senate reports are to be released next week.
Other details nestled in the thousands of pages of forms and figures include Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, arraigned Friday on 17 counts of federal corruption, collected $750,000 for his legal defense fund, much of it from groups with interests before the House Ways and Means Committee that he chaired before his indictment.
The donations included $5,000 from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co; $500 from the Hospital Corp. of America and $5,000 from the Tobacco Institute.
by CNB