Gov. Mark Sanford Chatting Up Congressmen on House Floor

Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was on the floor of the House of Representatives Thursday talking to GOP congressmen. As a former member of Congress, Sanford is allowed to visit the chamber at will.

Among others, Sanford chatted with Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.). Sanford has not been seen publicly in Washington, D.C., since the news broke last summer that he lied about his whereabouts to his staff while taking a secret trip to Argentina to meet his lover, Maria Belen Chapur. Sanford's estranged wife, Jenny Sanford, has written a book about her marriage which is being released in February.

Spotted by CNN on his way into the House chamber, Sanford said: "I was going to catch up with some friends on the House floor."

Sanford, who gave his final State of the State speech Wednesday in South Carolina, did not say publicly why he is in Washington, D.C.

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