WASHINGTON — The Democratic chairwoman and the Republican ranking member of the House ethics committee have agreed to investigate Rep. Joe Wilson, R- S.C., further for possible abuse of taxpayer-funded expense money during his travel abroad.
Emphasizing their bipartisan decision, Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, the ethics panel’s chairwoman, and Rep. Jo Bonner of Alabama, its senior Republican, said they had “jointly decided to extend” the probe of Wilson.
Wilson has denied any wrongdoing.
Since Wilson joined Congress in a December 2001 special election, his official travel abroad on 30 trips has cost taxpayers about $100,000 in itemized expenses, including roughly $38,000 in per diem money intended to cover only meals and lodging. McClatchy Newspapers
