WASHINGTON -- Is it a case of congressional Democrats saying one thing then doing another?
Legislators scolded financial executives for holding corporate retreats at posh hotels and now, the House Democratic Caucus is holding a legislative retreat this weekend in Williamsburg, Va. at a luxury spa and golf resort.
We wanted to know who's picking up the tab -- so NBC 4's Patrick Preston investigated to find out.
The Congressional Democrats are meeting at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa, where members will pay between $119 and $400 each night for their rooms. But taxpayers pick up the rest of the cost.
Taxpayer dollars are being spent for transportation -- a chartered Amtrak train -- and security to protect members of Congress, as well as facility and speaker fees.
When Preston asked the spokesperson for the Democratic Caucus for the total taxpayer expense, he was told that no one had that answer.
Democratic Caucus spokeswoman Emily Barocas said they don't have to report the costs until April, but The Hill newspaper in Washington reported that previous Democratic retreats have cost taxpayers more than $500,000 over the past five years.
Barocas also said, "We are conscious of the image of the retreat. This isn't a chance to relax and get massages," adding that Kingsmill was chosen because it could accommodate a large group as the Democrats set their legislative agenda.
She also defended using taxpayer money by saying, "Republicans use lobbyists to fund their retreats. We feel that's unethical. We split the costs."
Local Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy's representative said she is paying $975 from her campaign funds to attend. Congressman Zack Space won't be at the Kingsmill, as he is meeting with constituents in Ohio.
Last weekend, Republicans attended a Virginia retreat indirectly subsidized by lobbyists.
House Republican Leader John Boehner’s spokesperson, Jessica Towhey said, “House Republicans comply with congressional ethics rules for our retreat, which is open to media coverage and is not paid for with taxpayers dollars.”
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