U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois on Monday again defending his travel expenses after a report that a New York City trip with staff cost taxpayers more than $10,000.
The Peoria Republican spoke amid intense scrutiny over his spending. That includes an Associated Press review that found he used campaign donors' private planes at least a dozen times since 2011.
Schock argued that his district is expansive so he needs to spend more on travel, while other congressmen spend more on mail. He said he has fewer district offices.
He defended a trip detailed in Monday's Chicago Sun-Times in which he took at least 10 staffers to New York for events connected to the Indian prime minister's visit.
Schock said it was official business and he's glad his staff attended.
