Travel industry: Decouple Las Vegas from GSA scandal

{mosads}”Anytime, or in anyplace, that federal officials spend taxpayer dollars irresponsibly, it is an affront to the American people and the hardworking men and women of the travel industry,” Dow continued. “Congress should hold accountable those individuals who choose to flout the federal travel rules and regulations, and strengthen oversight so those rules are followed in every part of the United States.”

But Dow added that “Responsible and cost-effective government travel is a must, no matter where it occurs.”

Lawmakers from Nevada have made similar points, springing to Las Vegas’ defense as they did when President Obama made remarks about corporate executives holding meetings there on previous occasions.

“This is not an issue about location,” Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) said this week. “This is the result of poor decision-making and leadership by the GSA. Las Vegas is one of the greatest locations in the world for a conference, meeting, or vacation.”

Dow agreed, saying, “excessive government spending is wrong, no matter where it occurs.”

“Congress should consider nothing else beyond these two principles when dealing with this issue – or they risk ostracizing one group of hardworking Americans in favor of another,” he said.