GOP FLYING WITH BIG TOBACCO, DEMOCRATS CHARGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tobacco companies showered Republicans with dozens of
luxury jet flights in the past 18 months, according to Democrats seeking to
show voters that the GOP killed tobacco legislation as a favor to the industry.

The report by Democrats on the House Government Reform and Oversight
Committee also showed that many other corporations--from the health industry
to casino and insurance interests--provide jet travel to lawmakers of both
parties.

Federal election law requires the legislators to reimburse companies for the
travel.

But the report, which analyzed federal election records of the number of
reimbursement payments, shows tobacco companies provided lawmakers more
private air travel than any other corporate interest and that Republicans by
far received the bulk of such perks.

Democrats charged that, despite the reimbursements by lawmakers--at the cost
of first-class or charter airfare--the private jet trips amount to
"subsidized" travel in accommodations far more luxurious than upgraded
commercial seats and cheaper than the cost of chartering a private plane.

Companies pick up the remainder of the cost, which can be tens of thousands
of dollars.

"As far as Republicans are concerned, `Air Tobacco' is their official
airlines," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who issued the report Monday.
"As far as tobacco companies are concerned, this is a way for them to buy
greater influence with Republicans who run Congress."

Republicans say they reimbursed the companies for the cost of the flights as
required by federal election laws.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett