The shredders are humming in the Capitol...

So, Tom DeLay isn't the only one traveling for free. We shouldn’t be surprised: Congress has raised its salary seven times since '89 while increasing the minimum wage just once. Since then, Congressional salaries have grown by about $52,o00. Now we're hearing that besides the high salary, perks, and all that other good stuff, they’re not even pay for their vacations...

A new study shows that members of Congress have taken more than $16 million in privately financed trips over the past five years, with many of the trips sponsored by non-profit groups that are not obligated to disclose who paid the bills.

The results of the study by PoliticalMoneyLine, an Internet site that compiles campaign finance information, were first reported by USA Today.

The problems of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, have placed a spotlight on congressional travel. DeLay has been accused of a spate of alleged ethical lapses, including travel that may have been paid for by a lobbyist.

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