Obama & Dems retreat to Luxury Resort on Taxpayer Money

President Barack Obama travels to the Williamsburg area today to discuss issues with U.S. House Democrats during their annual retreat at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in James City County.

The president is expected to fly into Newport News this afternoon and travel to the resort. He flies back to Washington this evening.

Andrew Cain - Richmond Times Dispatch

More On The Resort:

Kingsmill Resort and Spa, Virginia's largest golf resort, boasts 63 holes of championship golf. Located on 2,900 acres along the historic James River, the resort features 425 recently renovated one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, the full-service Spa at Kingsmill, a 15-court Tennis Center, a full-service marina, six restaurants and lounges, and a sports club.

Kingsmill Resort and Spa is one of the Anheuser-Busch Companies and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a global association of the world's finest independent luxury hotels. The AAA Four-Diamond property is host to the annual LPGA Michelob ULTRA Open in May.

How is this Luxury trip Funded?:

"Democrats spend taxpayer money on their retreat but do not permit lobbyists to accompany them. The public pays for a charter train from Washington to Williamsburg for many of the 200 members who attend, as well as conference rooms, security and catering.

The round-trip fare on Amtrak is $90 or more. Catered dinners at Kingsmill cost at least $60 per person. Kingsmill's rooms at this time of year start at $119 a night. Democrats will not disclose the exact costs of this year's retreat, though group discounts for travel, food and lodging are common.

Republicans spend no public money on their retreat, which occurred last month at the historic Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Va., spokesman Matt Lloyd said."

LAURIE KELLMAN - My Way News

More on Past Years:

The House Democratic Caucus spent more than $500,000 in taxpayer money over the past five years for its annual retreats at resorts in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

On Thursday, Democrats will head to the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in historic Williamsburg, Va., for the three-day planning powwow. The resort boasts multiple championship golf courses, a full-service spa and six restaurants.

Individual lawmakers pay for most of the expenses related to retreat lodging through their campaign committees, but the Democratic Caucus subsidizes some of the costs for what aides consider “official business” — to the tune of nearly $100,000 each year, according to a Democratic aide involved in retreat planning.

For instance, the caucus picks up the hefty transportation tab, as well as the thousands of dollars in expenses each year for guest speakers, food and entertainment, according to financial disbursement records.

Democratic leadership sources were reluctant to talk about any aspect of the trip, but they defended it as an important planning session for the entire country.

Susan Crabtree - TheHill.com

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Reader Reaction from "WILD ROSE" Posted on timesdispatch.com:

"I WAS WONDERING WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS RETREAT. WHY DON’T THEY GO TO A MOTEL 6 AND MEET AT THE MCDONALD. OUR JOBS OR HOURS GET CUT AND THEY GO TO WILLIAMSBURG AT KINGMILL RESORT. SOMEBODY HAS MONEY AND IT IS NOT THE U.S. CITIZEN"