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WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIAL

Travel not Achilles' heel for Clyburn

THE ISSUE: Congressman Clyburn's travels

OUR OPINION: S.C. congressman not vulnerable on travel issue

Sixth District Congressman James Clyburn found himself in the middle of a national focus on congressional travel a week ago when his name surfaced in stories related to a lobbyist paying for trips by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's aides and others.

Republicans were quick to pounce, calling the referenced Clyburn trip to the Northern Mariana Islands in January 1997 a junket. Plus there was the question about whether a lobbyist paid for the trip, a violation of House rules.

Then came further reporting that the congressman ranks 11th nationally in travel by 605 current and former congressmen, according to a list compiled by the non-partisan group TRKC Inc.

The organization has tracked privately funded trips since 2000. In that time, Clyburn took 45 treks at a total cost of more than $146,000. His journeys ranged from visits to Moncks Corner, S.C., and Louisville, Ky., to locales such as Palm Springs, Calif.; Chicago; Jackson Hole, Wyo., and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Before seizing Clyburn's travels as irresistible political ammunition, Republicans should consider Clyburn's unique position as the state's first African-American congressman since Reconstruction and the reason he takes privately funded trips.

Writing Tuesday about the issue, Clyburn noted the longtime influence of the state's politicians in key positions, from Republicans Strom Thurmond and Floyd Spence to Democrats Fritz Hollings and Bryan Dorn. "I proudly sought to emulate those traditions."

And he has, serving in positions from chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus to vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

"These leadership positions have allowed me to forge important relationships, and I am often invited to speak at events throughout the state and across the nation. I try to accommodate as many requests as possible, because I respect the uniqueness of my 1992 election to Congress. However, because I, like the vast majority of my constituents, am not independently wealthy, groups are asked to provide transportation and accommodation costs when it is appropriate. And when these costs exceed $50, I file the required disclosures."

Clyburn provided details of his travels and the sponsoring organization. He noted five trips sponsored by the Association of American Railroads. "Transportation and tourism are very important to me and my district. Sixteen of the 45 trips were turnarounds of less than 24 hours, and were hardly exotic ‘vacations' as some media have labeled them.

"During the five years being discussed, I took four trips outside the United States. One to China at the request of United Parcel Service, a large employer in my district with facilities in Florence, Sumter, Charleston, Orangeburg and a hub at the Columbia Airport. We spent three days constructing and equipping a computer center in a rural community and building good will for UPS with the Chinese people. It worked. UPS closed the deal they were working on. I might add, UPS just announced a major expansion for their Columbia hub. I also took a highly publicized trip to Cuba, and carried along two business people from Columbia. I remain optimistic that it will soon pay off handsomely for South Carolina farmers."

Clyburn also addressed the 1997 trip to the Mariannas, reiterating that he already has provided the invitation from the sponsoring organization.

"I have made the National Security Caucus' invitation — signed by Admiral Thomas Moorer, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — available to all media. It clearly states that the trip ‘will be paid for by the non-profit NSC Foundation, and will not involve any cost to the U.S. Government.' When questions were raised about this trip and the involvement of embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Greg Hilton, the NSC liaison, told the Associated Press that ‘(Clyburn's) trip was perfectly legal under all circumstances. My only regret is that our initial letter of invitation informed (him) that we would pay for the trip.' "

Congressman Clyburn contends that he is prepared for criticism and controversy as it arises in his political life. As he gets a dose of criticism over travel issues, politics and power are more at the root of the controversy than questions of ethics and House rules.