Park-gate: Biden vacation at National Park cabin prompts investigation

Washington Post ^ | October 28, 2014 | Colby Itkowitz

[Second Amendment First]

Vice President Biden and several top White House officials have vacationed with their families at the same log cabin in Grand Teton National Park. Located on Jackson Lake, the rustic getaway is the perfect escape from the fast-paced Washington grind.

The cabin also happens to be owned by the federal government, and was banned 20-some years ago by the National Park Service for anything other than “official use.”

Some great reporting by Time’s Zeke Miller has prompted the Interior Department to ask for an investigation into Biden’s stay, as well as uses of the cabin by several Obama cabinet secretaries, such as Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former transportation secretary Ray LaHood.

Government officials, including Biden, who use the Brinkerhoff lodge are often given briefings and tours that satisfy the “official use” requirement, Jackie Skaggs, a Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman, told Miller. At issue is whether those officials should reimburse the government for extended stays, and for bringing friends and family along.

[Second Amendment First]

Under park service rules, the lodge is maintained for use by federal employees for “training and official conferences” and for those on “temporary duty in the park.” In practice, the superintendent of Grand Teton National Park, who has discretion over whether to demand payment for the lodge, has interpreted those rules to allow extended family vacations if there is an element of official business involved.

I'll wait to see what official business is claimed.

[ChildOfThe60s]

yep

[EternalVigilance]

Come on. The Central Committee of the Communist Party deserves its perks. Think how hard they’re working to destroy this country. It’s gotta be exhausting.

[Billthedrill]

You’re not going to have time to do all that, so you’re going to have to give something up. I’d suggest giving up the “death” part.

[Second Amendment First]

Yellowstone is my favorite place ever. Going again for the tenth time. I would be happy to die there and never go anywhere else.

[combat_boots]

sigh

[lakecumberlandvet]

“Biden, LaHood and Duncan each claim they will pay whatever they owe if the parks department sends them a bill.”
___

Three bank robbers are nabbed by police as they’re leaving the bank they just robbed. They hand the money to the cops and say “Here. This is reimbursement for the money we just stole.” Cop says “Okay. Thanks. Have a nice day.” (From “Adventures in Liberal Land”)

[haroldeveryman]

No kidding. It would be well worth the taxpayer’s money to keep Biden and Obama there 365 days a year. It would free them up from all their “work”.

[Bullish]

I’m fine with it but only if Biden promises to go and never come back.

[Delta Dawn]

I don’t have a problem with this...Better that the property is used rather than just sit there and just waste away...Could you imagine Biden vacationing at Disney World?

They would have to give Goofy the week off...

[Patriot Babe]

Is that Newt Gringrich? Sure looks like him.

[OftheOhio]

$25 a night for four nights? I use to stay at a smelly as motel in Zanesville Ohio on hunting trips 25 years ago and paid $50 a night and the view was let’s just say less than awesome. All the Kings men sure have it nice today.

[Kenton]

Wow. Not a bad deal for 12 people for 4 nights. Comes to $25 per person per night.

I'm sure Biden left a lot of empty bottles laying around, I wonder how much it cost us to send a vice-presidential clean-up crew afterwards.

Corruption is a hallmark of this administration, isn't it?

[morphing libertarian]

who’s doing the investigation, Holder?

[oh8eleven]

U.S. General Services Administration regional commissioner Jeffrey Neely. Wasn't the first time either.

[SampleMan]

[Fledermaus]

National Park Service - another government agency that needs to be reigned in and cut in size. It’s full of bureaucratic a-holes who think their god.

[USNBandit]

Lodge, no. Dacha, yes.

[Zeppo]

“When the Vice President does it, it’s not illegal.”

/s

[Second Amendment First]

David Vela, Grand Teton's New Superintendent David Vela, former associate director for workforce, relevancy and inclusion at the National Park Service's Washington headquarters, is Grand Teton’s newly appointed superintendent and the 21st in park history. Vela succeeds Mary Gibson Scott, who retired in late 2013 after nearly ten years on the job.