Illinois Republican Party

Hawaii Junket Raises Questions for Duckworth
9/5/2012

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady called on 8th District Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth to answer questions about a report that she was “in charge of planning” a May 2011 $2.5 million junket to Hawaii when she was Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

According to an investigative report by the Washington Examiner, the VA spent more than $2.5 million on a six-day series of sporting events for aging veterans at a posh Hawaiian resort. The junket offered events like air-rifle shooting, dominoes, table tennis, golf, swimming, horseshoes and shuffleboard. Expenses included more than $1 million for an Alaska-based event planning firm, $500,000 for rooms and conference space in the hotel, $390,000 for event transportation and $229,000 for gift or meal cards for the participants.

Key Questions for Tammy Duckworth:

1) The Washington Examiner reports Tammy Duckworth was “in charge of planning” a $2.5 million Hawaii junket. What exactly was Tammy Duckworth’s role in the planning of this boondoggle?

2) Does Duckworth believe the $1 million spent on a party planner was the best use of taxpayer funds, or does she agree they would be better spent serving our veterans in need?

3) Did Tammy Duckworth directly approve the lavish expenditures including $500,000 for hotel rooms, over $300,000 in transportation costs and $229,000 for meal and gift cards?

4) If Tammy Duckworth had a serious role in the Hawaii junket, what was her role in the other two boondoggles under her tenure totaling a $5 million waste of taxpayer money?

REFERENCE: Washington Examiner: 'VA spent millions on six days of Hawaii games'

< Back to News