Jim Gibbons skips Congress session but collects salary

LAS VEGAS - Congressman and Nevada Gov.-elect Jim Gibbons didn't return to Washington, D.C., for the last session of the lame-duck Congress, but he accepted his full House salary, his staff said.

"Despite the fact that he missed some legislative days" since being elected governor on Nov. 7, Gibbons "has continued to participate in official events and meet with constituents," spokeswoman Melissa Subbotin said told the Las Vegas Review-Journal for a Monday report. Subbotin said Gibbons' congressional district offices have remained open.

"Congressman Jim Gibbons continues to serve in his capacity as a member of Congress and therefore will accept his full salary for the 109th Congress," Subbotin said.

While preparing to move into the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, Gibbons missed eight days and 27 roll-call votes in November and this month.

The House had 543 votes in 101 days the House during 2006, meaning that not counting other absences Gibbons missed 8 percent of the year's days in session and 5 percent of the year's votes.

Gibbons will collect 100 percent of his $165,200 annual salary as a congressman.

Gibbons was one of two House members to skip the entire last session, along with an Illinois Democrat who is incapacitated by Parkinson's disease, the Review-Journal said.

He was one of three House members elected governor in November. The others, C.L. "Butch" Otter of Idaho and Ted Strickland of Ohio, attended the final session of Congress, said David Williams, vice president of Citizens Against Government Waste.

Williams called it "pathetic" that Gibbons didn't return at least "for a few token days."

Barring that, "it would have been a great gesture for him to give back part of his salary," Williams said.