Duckworth defends her work, responds to Walsh’s attack
Posted:
Updated:
By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth is defending her work at two different veterans' agencies after Rep. Joe Walsh said that she wasted taxpayer dollars. He and other House Republicans are demanding an investigation.
Walsh's attack on Duckworth comes two days after the resignation of another former Assistant Secretary at the Veterans Administration. An Inspector General blamed Walsh, in part, for outrageous overspending at two conferences in Florida last year. There's no such report on Duckworth and now she's defending a $2 million event she oversaw in Hawaii.
Tuesday evening, Tammy Duckworth greeted veterans and their relatives at a military family support group in Schaumburg. Here, she wanted to respond to questions being raised by Congressman Joe Walsh about Duckworth's role in the Golden Games in Honolulu last year -- an event that attracted about 900 older, disabled veterans.
"A million dollars, Mike Flannery, to a party planner for a Hawaii trip, when you've got veterans right now who're waiting a year or two to get their claims; when the unemployment rate among veterans is higher than the population at large, " Rep. Joe Walsh said.
Duckworth said the Golden Games cost $2.5 million -- partly paid by private donations -- because the 900 disabled participants required special support as they swam, shot air rifles and played golf. While the bill at the posh Hawaiian Village resort totaled a half-million dollars, Duckworth insisted everyone there was working.
"People who stayed at the hotel were there to help support the veterans," Duckworth explained. "They were everyone from people who were fixing wheel chairs to people providing medical services to people who were actually providing assistive support to veterans. And it's really cynical of Mr. Walsh to take what is really an amazing program that gets veterans out of their hospital beds and try to twist it for his own political gain."
Tammy Duckworth said Joe Walsh is wrong to compare the Golden Games in Hawaii to two scandal scarred conferences in Orlando sponsored by the VA. Those two events cost $5 million and an inspector general documented ridiculous overspending there, including a $52,000 expenditure on a General George Patton look-alike. Walsh said House GOP investigators would look into the Hawaii event trying to find something similar.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Matt Bogusz, 26, is Des Plaines' mayor-elect, the youngest mayor in the northwest suburbs and one of the youngest city leaders' in recent Illinois history. He spoke on his plans for his town, and about the big victory.
Matt Bogusz, 26, is Des Plaines' mayor-elect, the youngest mayor in the northwest suburbs and one of the youngest city leaders' in recent Illinois history. He spoke on his plans for his town, and about the big victory.
Kelly's election is a big win for New York's Mayor Mike Bloomberg. He and others worried that the Democratic primary in February might have been won by a candidate with an "A" rating from the NRA.
Kelly's election is a big win for New York's billionaire Mayor Mike Bloomberg. He and others worried that the Democratic primary in February might have been won by a candidate with an "A" rating from the NRA.
FOX Chicago snagged the first post election interview with Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod. He was critical to Tuesday night's victory - and he gets to keep his mustache.
FOX Chicago snagged the first post election interview with Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod. He was critical to Tuesday night's victory - and he gets to keep his mustache.
President Barack Obama's Kenyan half-brother told FOX Chicago News exclusively that he's so proud, and hopes to keep with the family spirit in his own political pursuits.
President Barack Obama's Kenyan half-brother told FOX Chicago News exclusively that he's so proud, and hopes to keep with the family spirit in his own political pursuits.
Just like in 2008, many people are racing to get political souvenirs from this year's election with Obama's re-election. One Chicago store on Michigan Ave expects to see and increase in sales.
Just like in 2008, many people are racing to get political souvenirs from this year's election with Obama's re-election. One Chicago store on Michigan Ave expects to see and increase in sales.
It was a rough night for the Republican Party, not only in the presidential race, but also in three matchups in the Illinois suburbs. Illinois GOP Chair Pat Brady joined Good Day to explain.
It was a rough night for the Republican Party, not only in the presidential race, but also in three matchups in the Illinois suburbs. Illinois GOP Chair Pat Brady joined Good Day to explain.
