Americans scrimp while Congress travels, gives staff bonuses [View All]

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U.S. Rep. Allen West traveled to Israel in August and brought his wife on an 8-day trip paid for by a pro-Israeli group. (Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Allen West / September 17, 2011)

The nation's flailing economy and daunting unemployment haven't kept some members of Congress from enjoying the perks of office, from handing out bonuses to their staff to taking all-expense paid trips abroad.

South Florida U.S. Reps. Allen West and Frederica Wilson were among 81 members of the House of Representatives who traveled to Israel in August, flying business class and staying in luxury hotels for a week of meetings and sightseeing paid for by the charitable arm of a pro-Israel lobby.

In June, Wilson spent two days at a beachfront resort in the Bahamas, courtesy of the Bethune-Cookman University alumni association.

Democrat Wilson, who represents part of Broward, went to Nassau to accept an award from the university president and met with Bahamian officials while there, and the trip to Israel was "far from a vacation,'' said spokesman Mahen Gunaratna. It "included a rigorous itinerary, including high-level meetings'' with Middle Eastern leaders.

West, a Plantation Republican, said the security of Israel "is an important issue to me, as well as many of my constituents.''

more . . . http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fll-congress-spending-travel-20110917,0,703822.story