PORTLAND, Ore. — Two Northwest lawmakers are defending a trip to the Galapagos Islands after the television news show “Inside Edition” called it “the trip of a lifetime on your dime.”
Democratic Reps. Brian Baird of Washington and Darlene Hooley of Oregon went to the islands in June with three other members of Congress to learn about climate change, ocean acidification, El Nino, maritime reserves protection and research funded by the National Science Foundation.
“If this was a luxury trip,” Hooley said, “I would eat my hat.”
According to an “Inside Edition” press release, the delegation took a military jet to the islands. The show also said the representatives stayed at an expensive island resort and were “treated like royalty.”
A show producer and correspondent posed as tourists to report on the trip.
“Hidden cameras also captured them taking full advantage of this exotic locale, enjoying fine wine and sushi dinners, bicycling, shopping and picture taking,” the release said.
Baird, who led the delegation, and Hooley said there were few other lodging options on the islands and they were treated like any other guests.
Hooley’s term ends in January. She decided to go on the trip, she said, because she wants to contribute through her final days in Congress.
Since the trip, she said, she has helped put together legislation on global warming.
The other representatives on the trip were Republicans Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Bob Inglis of South Carolina and Democrat Ben Chandler of Kentucky.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
