CD 22: $22,000 For Seven Weeks Of Work

I find it amusing to think that Shelley Sekula-Gibbs will earn $22,000 for her seven week tenure in Congress.

However, I find it more amusing that she’s planning to redecorate with “flowers” and wants to make military academy appointments (I guess DeLay didn’t do it before he resigned, or perhaps she has a high-dollar contributor whose child is desparate for an appointment to the Air Force Academy) and make sure that gosh darn Mexico border fence gets built:

It’s unclear how long Congress will stay in session, but Sekula Gibbs isn’t planning to find more permanent housing in the Washington area than the hotel she’s in. A dermatologist, she plans to return to teaching at Baylor College of Medicine.

While Lampson took notes at the new members’ orientation in the Cannon House Building, Sekula Gibbs, wearing a congressional pin on her red suit, greeted a few well-wishers, Texas lawmakers and at least one lobbyist one floor down in DeLay’s old office. Sekula Gibbs doesn’t plan to redecorate.

“We’ll go with the natural look of flowers,” she said, nodding toward a vase of carnations on an otherwise empty conference table.

“I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work,” Sekula Gibbs said. “I have a short time to do a big job for the people of my district.”

She wasted no time after being sworn in Monday night. The congresswoman cast three votes on the House floor, including a “yea” for a bill on normalizing trade with Vietnam that failed. Tuesday, she met with GOP House leaders.

In her short time, Sekula Gibbs said, she wants to help extend a sales tax exemption for Texans, ensure a border fence is built, vote to expand oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and make some military academy appointments.

Chris Bowlin, a lobbyist for the American Medical Association, stopped by to welcome Sekula Gibbs. “We’re thrilled to have her,” he said. He hopes the lame-duck session will update the Medicare physician fee schedule and the doctor will cast a favorable vote.

Honestly, what does it say about a member of Congress whose first visitors include high-powered lobbyists who are “thrilled” to have her in Congress.

Seriously, how much pork can the woman deliver in seven weeks?