Sinema’s $200K Travel Spending Contradicts Her Anti-Greed Rhetoric

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema genuinely urged her peers to ‘temper the excesses of greed.’ Yet her remarks seem insincere.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema was ostracized from the Democratic Party for pursuing what she considered right.

One of her hallmark pieces of legislation, a robust, bipartisan border security measure that received endorsement from the Border Patrol, was sabotaged by Donald Trump to support his presidential campaign.

She found herself alone, cast out, and rebuffed. Reelection prospects vanished.

However, there remained funds in her campaign accounts and numerous enticing destinations around the globe.

Consequently, she took advantage. Sinema dedicated much of her final stretch in the U.S. Senate traversing the spectrum from honesty to hypocrisy.

Sinema utilized campaign funds for global travel

The meticulous individuals at the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington state that Sinema has violated election regulations forbidding candidates from allocating campaign finances for purely personal ends.

CREW president Noah Bookbinder remarked in a written statement, “The general guideline is that any dollar your campaign expends must serve the campaign — it can’t solely benefit you personally. It’s difficult to ascertain how any of this spending served the campaign’s advantage.”

This follows a previous report from The Arizona Republic a few months ago regarding how Sinema, a self-proclaimed lame duck, charged her campaign more than $200,000 for travel expenses during trips to France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several other global locales.

It’s precisely the type of behavior one in Sinema’s situation engages in simply because she is able. Not because she ought to.

The message parallels that of her controversial ring

Recall that image of Sinema from a few years back sporting the offensive ring on her finger? The one suggesting a profanity?

Indeed, that appears to encapsulate the message.

It’s quite disappointing given the passionate farewell speech Sinema delivered urging her peers to uphold the principles set forth by the Founding Fathers and safeguard the “guardrails” of democracy.

I genuinely believe she was earnest.

Opinion: Sinema departs the Senate as a mere shadow of her former self

Despite several legislative victories, achieved with bipartisan backing, it’s easy to see why Sinema might feel bitterness — even a sense of betrayal — after her bipartisan border security initiative was thwarted by congressional members under Donald Trump’s directives.

Trump boasted about its demise.

The legislation would have significantly aided in addressing the influx of illegal drugs, resolving the asylum crisis, and strengthening the Border Patrol through additional personnel and improved security.

Then she urged Congress to halt ‘excesses of greed’

However, any advancement on border security would have undermined Trump’s fearmongering campaign.

Thus, it was put to an end.

In her parting address, Sinema discussed the importance of safeguarding “guardrails” like the filibuster and the risks of disregarding them.

She stated, “Many now accuse these guardrails of obstructing essential progress, rather than acknowledging that it is our actions, our words, our lack of civility, and ultimately our failure to compromise that hinder reasonable solutions from moving forward.”

She continued, “They exist for a purpose: to nurture relationships so we can propel history ahead, to mitigate the excesses of greed and to restrain the appetite for power. … Our democracy guarantees that no single individual, no one party holds excessive influence. The checks and balances embedded in our government shield us all.”

She was correct.

Regrettably, it is challenging to lend much credence to her assertions, particularly her call “to temper the excesses of greed and to curb the hunger for power,” while she is utilizing campaign funds and her Senate role to globe-trot.

Contact Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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