The Nation : Congressmen Tour Mines

A large Virginia coal company flew 14 Democratic members of congressional committees that oversee mining legislation to southwestern Virginia in a luxury 727 jet and paid them $2,000 to tour its mines, attend a discussion of energy issues and a dinner. The House members were presented the $2,000 honorariums because “members of Congress, taking the time to do something like this, expect to get some compensation for it,” said Rep. Frederick C. Boucher (D-Va.), who helped arrange the trip. Boucher issued invitations for the one-day trip on his congressional letterhead on behalf of United Coal Co., which is based in Bristol in his southwestern Virginia district.