Washington Mardi Gras annually brings the pageantry and revelry of Bourbon Street to the nation’s capital. It’s a three-day affair complete with cocktail parties, a pageant and even an indoor parade.
But the party isn’t cheap, and KSHV 45-TV reports Louisiana’s congressional delegation helps foot the bill to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars via their Leadership Political Action Committees.
Over the past two years, Sen. Bill Cassidy has spent a total of more than $100,000 on the party for catering and event space at the Washington Hilton and for tickets from the Mystic Krewe, which puts on the events. Over the same period, Rep. Steve Scalise used his Leadership PAC to spend nearly $40,000 at the Hilton and more than $53,000 on tickets.
Congressmen Ralph Abraham, Clay Higgins Cedric Richmond, and Sen. John Kennedy also used their Leadership PAC money to support Washington Mardi Gras.
All told, members of the Louisiana delegation spent more than a $250,000 on the events last year and this year. None of the Louisiana congressional delegation was willing to discuss their support for Washington Mardi Gras on camera with KSHV 45-TV.
