Copenhagen Summit Turned Junket?

(CBS)  Few would argue with the U.S. having a presence at the Copenhagen Climate Summit. But wait until you hear what we found about how many in Congress got all-expense paid trips to Denmark on your dime.

CBS investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports that cameras spotted House Speaker Nancy Pelosiat the summit. She called the shots on who got to go. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and embattled Chairman of the Tax Committee Charles Rangelwere also there.

They were joined by 18 colleagues: Democrats: Waxman, Miller, Markey, Gordon, Levin, Blumenauer, DeGette, Inslee, Ryan, Butterfield, Cleaver, Giffords, and Republicans: Barton, Upton, Moore Capito, Sullivan, Blackburn and Sensenbrenner.

That's not the half of it. But finding out more was a bit like trying to get the keys to Ft. Knox. Many referred us to Speaker Pelosi who wouldn't agree to an interview. Her office said it "will comply with disclosure requirements" but wouldn't give us cost estimates or even tell us where they all stayed.

Senator Inhofe (R-OK)is one of the few who provided us any detail. He attended the summit on his own for just a few hours, to give an "opposing view."

"They're going because it's the biggest party of the year," Sen. Inhofe said. "The worst thing that happened there is they ran out of caviar."

Our investigation found that the congressional delegation was so large, it needed three military jets: two 737's and a Gulfstream Five -- up to 64 passengers -- traveling in luxurious comfort.

Along with those who flew commercial, we counted at least 101 Congress-related attendees. All for a summit that failed to deliver a global climate deal.

As a perk, some took spouses, since they could snag an open seat on a military jet or share a room at no extra cost to taxpayers. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was there with her husband. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)was also there with her husband. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) took his wife, as did Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Congressman Barton-- a climate change skeptic -- even brought along his daughter.

Until required filings are made in the coming weeks, we can only figure bits and pieces of the cost to you.

Three military jets at $9,900 per hour - $168,000 just in flight time.

Dozens flew commercial at up to $2,000 each.

(CBS)

321 hotel nights booked - the bulk at Copenhagen's five-star Marriott.

Meals add tens of thousands more.

Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, wasn't against a U.S. presence. But he said, "Every penny counts. Congress should be shaking the couch cushions looking for change, rather than spending cash for everybody to go to Copenhagen."

Nobody we asked would defend the super-sized Congressional presence on camera. One Democrat said it showed the world the U.S. is serious about climate change.

And all those attendees who went to the summit rather than hooking up by teleconference? They produced enough climate-stunting carbon dioxide to fill 10,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Which means even if Congress didn't get a global agreement - they left an indelible footprint all the same.

[ACRScout]

News reports this morning, shows that Pelosi has gone beyond just abusing her office to fly herself a private Air Force 767, but is now using Air Force Aircraft to ferry her gandkids around the country without any members of congress onboard, so she has gone beyond using tax dollars to fund her personal travel, she has now started using it for her own personal family aircraft, all at our expense.

[madaashell]

If this story makes you crazy, get "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" by Peter Schweizer. A real eye opener.

[gyldensted]

Dear Sharyl Attkisson,

important story! I am a collague at the Danish National Broadcasting - stationed in DC as US TV/Radio correspondent. If you need
help in terms of knowledge to restaurants, hotels - etc that the documents
describe - let me know. I´ll be happy to help a colleague.

best,
Cathrine

[mcpub]

The President and Congress are finally getting grilled by the Press on the $1 million US Congress boondoggle to Copenhagen. $2,200 room rates and $10,000 airfares. These are the same hypocrites that criticized AIG and others for wasting taxpayer money and killed the meetings industry putting thousands out of work! Bernie Schraer, Group Publisher, Meetings and Conventions magazine

[cmac4415]

Hey right wingers, thanks for showing such hypocrisy. You never have a problem when the Cons are spending taxpayers money on lavish trips around the world The trip to Copenhagen did include Dems and Reps after all. I have a problem with both parties acting like pretentious snobs who only care about themselves. When the righties start calling out both sides for obscene spending, I will have more respect for their opinion.

[chalkdust4u]

Usually the liberal media just don't get it, but this seems to be one time they have. The politicans vote themselves raises and then refuse to vote the way their consituants want them to vote. I think that all of these who cowtow to the party leadership should be removed ASAP. These people do not know what the public needs and are not interested either.

[chalkdust4u]

Usually the liberal media does not get it, however this is one instance they did. I still say that nearly every incumbant in Washington should be replaced. These people are not in touch with the needs of the public and then vote themselves raises. If these politicians will not vote the way their constituants want them to, then they do not deserve the office.

[1murdock]

PAGE 12 - 2nd COMMENT. ***READ PLEASE***

[Freedomforever88]

Here is an example where govt could use telemeeting and other technology to reduce cost and the carbon foot print. Throw all the gov't pigs out of office.

[astonishingsomething]

The government really should have sent a class of 4th graders. The current administration did nothing (I am saying this as a very disappointed liberal). 4th graders are the ones that are going to have to deal with these "public servants" lack of meaningful action.

[gboyd41]

astonish-then you are part of the problem, voting this P** into office. GOOD JOB!