The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. Rep Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, was part of a congressional delegation that traveled to Portugal, Poland and the United Kingdom in 2003 and apparently enjoyed itself. The full story is behind the Wall Street Journal’s paid online content wall.

The Journal says that the eight-member delegation was “treated [to meals] by a parade of defense contractors and lobbyists, most of which sent personnel to Europe to host the meals, according to foreign-service officials and the companies. The meals gave Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and others private access to legislators who control billions of dollars in government contracts.”

That “likely violated House rules and possibly federal law,” the Journal reports.

Some other very brief story excerpts about the trip, which lasted 11 days, can be found below:

“...Official work appears to have been subordinate to less arduous pursuits. The expedition was designed to confer with officials in three “Coalition of the Willing” countries: Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom, according to a news release issued by one participant. Each country had backed the invasion of Iraq.

“U.S. Embassy officials who helped shepherd the group say the lawmakers held meetings with local and U.S. military officials that mostly lasted about 45 minutes. The rest of the time, they recall, the group went sightseeing and was entertained by contractors and lobbyists. ”

Putnam’s response:

“In response to written questions, a spokesman for Mr. Putnam says in an email that the lawmaker “didn’t know/remember who paid for the dinners,” but that he “fully complied with the regulations governing per diems.”

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