Sam Gibbons: “yes, President Clinton is back from his 9- day, $50 million, taxpayer-financed road trip to China. I have to give it to…”

“yes, President Clinton is back from his 9- day, $50 million, taxpayer-financed road trip to China. I have to give it to him, however; most Americans never get a chance to have an overseas vacation, let alone one where they take 1,200 of their closest friends. While they did not accomplish much on the road, I think they probably set a record for the cost and size of a presidential delegation traveling abroad. The President's press secretary explained that ``this wasn't just the President going to China, but this was the United States Government, and we brought a lot of government with us.'' Mr. Speaker, I cannot think of anyone they did not take. But, when questioned, McCurry spilled the beans; ``there might be people we shouldn't have included.'' Well, no kidding. Now, I do not want to sound too critical. After all, they did cut corners where they could. I am told with only 600 rooms available at the Shanghai Ritz Carlton, our intrepid travelers bit the bullet and doubled up. Thank you, Mr. President, for that, saving what you could where you could. I yield back the remainder of any pocket change this country may have.”