Says Congressional association followed the rules
Jump to full article: North County (CA) Times, 2010-07-28
Author: RAY HUARD -
Intro: A group of congressional staffer cigar enthusiasts sponsored by U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray has been wrongly singled out as a tool for lobbyists seeking influence on Capitol Hill, Bilbray said Monday.
"We checked this week and they played by the rules," Bilbray said of the Congressional Cigar Association, which he sponsored in May 2009.
"I just hope they don't get burned on this," said Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, about congressional employees who are members of the group.
Cigars have nothing to do with his district and Bilbray said he only rarely lights up a stogie. But he said he was asked to sponsor the association because he is chairman of the House Central American Committee and he said cigars are an important industry in parts of Central America. . . .
Valle said there was nothing nefarious in the group's formation.
"A group of friends, myself included, got together because we shared the affection for smoking cigars," Valle said. She said the purpose was to share some "bipartisan camaraderie."
A cigar industry group, the International Premium Cigars & Pipe Retailers, said on its website that it hosted social events for the association at which it presented its take on such issues as the health effects of cigar and pipe smoking and the economic impact of cigar production in countries where they're produced.
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