Fact Finding Holiday Trip -- on the Taxpayers' Dime

Senate Majority Leader designate Harry Reid (D-NV) will lead a New Years fact finding tour to points south.

That includes a New Year's Eve event at Machu Picchu -- legendary lost city of the Incas -- in the Andes (right). From Al Kamen in the Washington Post:

"The hardy group -- about 25 strong -- includes Sens. Kent Conrad
(D-N.D.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), plus spouses, Senate aides and military escorts, we're told."

They'll be flying on military transports -- avoiding long lines at the airports -- oh yeah, and having to buy their own tickets. (WaPo)