For Immediate Release                                                                                             Contact: Samantha Slapnik

August 9, 2002                                                                                                                       (803) 217-0060

 

Governor Hodges Questions Congressman Sanford’s Taxpayer-Funded Travel

In six years, Congressman Sanford made taxpayers send him to (deep breath): Brazil, Argentina (twice), Chile (twice), Panama, Bolivia, Peru (twice), Canada, Colombia (twice, but not South Carolina, either), Mexico, Belgium, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Haiti and Cuba

 

Columbia -- Governor Jim Hodges today questioned former Congressman Mark Sanford’s taxpayer-funded junkets to 18 countries and four continents.

 

“To be fair to Congressman Sanford, a certain amount of official travel goes with the job,” said Governor Hodges. “I think most folks understand that. What’s harder to grasp, though, is how Sanford, the ‘taxpayer’s best friend,’ can justify taxpayer-funded trips to 18 countries and four continents.”

 

As a newly-elected congressman in 1995, Sanford said “I’ve always regarded any overseas trip as a boondoggle.” (source: Post and Courier, 6/11/95). Nevertheless, in six years as a congressman, Mark Sanford made taxpayers send him to 18 foreign countries at public expense. In one instance, Congressman Sanford’s explained, “The plane was going, and I had the week open.” (source: Post and Courier, 5/24/97)

 

During his congressional career, Sanford visited Brazil, Argentina (twice), Chile (twice), Panama, Bolivia, Peru (twice), Canada, Colombia (twice, but not South Carolina, either), Mexico, Belgium, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Haiti and Cuba on the taxpayers’ dime.

 

What benefit did South Carolina taxpayers receive for funding Sanford’s junkets?  Nothing.  During one trip to South America, which cost taxpayers $10,000, Sanford said he learned Argentine farmers are doing well without government subsidies, a lesson Sanford said American farmers would do well to learn. (Funny, Sanford did not learn that lesson either, taking nearly $10,000 in government farm subsidies for his 3,000-acre Coosaw Plantation.)  During the same trip, Chile’s completely private Social Security system spawned another Sanford dud---his plan to invest Social Security savings in the stock market. This plan would have cost many seniors their retirement. (source: Post & Courier, 6/11/95)

 

“Charging taxpayers $10,000 to bring home a really bad idea like privatizing Social Security – now that’s a ‘boondoggle,’” concluded Hodges.

 

 

More Sanford Travel Documentation

“Asked to pinpoint one way to cut the federal budget deficit without hurting the Lowcountry, Sanford said he would cut some of the $1 billion that the federal government spends on civilian aircraft for high-ranking officials.”

Post and Courier, “GOP Candidates Vie for Identities,” 2/18/94

 

“Reform of Congress - including term limits, campaign finance reform and the elimination of numerous perks enjoyed by lawmakers - is also high on (Sanford’s) priority list.”

Post and Courier, “Barber Attacking Sanford On Several Fronts,” 11/7/94

 

“(Sanford) says he stands for real change, and attacks Congress for perks and taking political action committee (PAC) money.”

Post and Courier, “Adwatch,” 7/8/94

”In May, (Sanford) went on a six-day congressional junket to South America paid for by taxpayers at a cost of $ 10,000. It was the first congressional trip to Chile in 25 years. Taxpayers also paid for his one-day fact-finding trip to Haiti and Cuba in February… Sanford's trip schedule and acceptance of gifts has drawn fire from one former staffer who said the Mark Sanford he worked for hasn't lived up to his pre-election image.”

Post and Courier, “Deficit Fighter Sanford Enjoys Some Privileges,” 8/6/95

“Taxpayers spent $ 10,000 recently to send Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., on a congressional trip to Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Sanford agonized about whether to go, knowing such visits - whatever the rationale - are usually viewed as junkets by many out there in Constituent Land. Remember, Sanford won the 1st District as a 34-year-old political newcomer who vowed to apply his business acumen to an institution that put the nation billions in debt. Congressional reform, including the elimination of perks such as overseas ‘fact-finding missions,’ is very much a part of his agenda…”

Post and Courier, “Sanford's Dilemma on Taking Congressional Trip,” 6/11/95 

 

“And it bothered me that the taxpayers were the ones footing the bill for this particular jaunt.  It got me thinking about incentives.  With this kind of travel and this kind of treatment from senior military officers, it’s not surprising how some people would be willing to spend huge amounts of time and money to become – and remain – members of Congress.  In this case, for a single short ceremony two U.S. Senators were being ferried from Washington to Charleston by private jet rather than commercial air.  I found it hard to believe that my time, or theirs, could now be worth that much.  Certainly, it’s the kind of treatment most incumbents could never afford if they toiled in the real world.  Neither could they command the subservience that some politicians receive routinely.”

Mark Sanford, The Trust Committed To Me, 2000

 

 

Samantha Slapnik

Press Secretary

Jim Hodges Campaign

(803) 217-0060

sslapnik@hodges2002.com