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Power Trips
 
An investigation into congressional travel
In the summer of 2005, the Center for Public Integrity, Northwestern University's Medill News Service and American Public Media began examining disclosure documents for about 23,000 privately funded trips taken by members of Congress and staffers over a 5½-year period. While some of these trips no doubt were educational, others appeared to be thinly veiled attempts by special interests to influence lawmakers and their advisers.
Key Findings
From January 2000 through June 2005, lawmakers and their aides took at least 23,000 privately funded trips with a total value of almost $50 million.
Almost three-quarters of the trips were taken by staffers, who often influence how their bosses view issues and vote.
Ethics rules require that such trips be educational or investigative, but many were to vacation destinations — at least 200 to Paris, 150 to Hawaii and 140 to Italy.
Of the two dozen congressional offices on which trip sponsors spent the most money, 15 were Republican.
Of the 25 lawmakers who each accepted more than $120,000 worth of travel for themselves, 17 were Democrats.
At least 11 offices accepted more than $350,000 each in travel. Top beneficiaries included the offices of Reps. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and Don Young, R-Alaska.
Ethics rules infractions involving travel usually go unpunished.
Muddy Paper Trail
If the aim is to enlighten the public about their trips, the disclosure forms filled out by congressional travelers leave much to be desired. Many lack information that could be used to determine whether a trip was a serious fact-finding mission or simply a vacation in disguise. Follow this link to see examples of the incomplete forms reviewed by Center for Public Integrity researchers.
With Change on the Horizon, Privately Funded Travel Plummets
Trips by lawmakers and staffers decline by nearly 50 percent, recent data show
WASHINGTON, January 3, 2007 — As the House of Representatives prepares to vote Thursday on sweeping changes to its gift and travel rules, new data show that members of Congress and their aides are accepting privately funded trips at a precipitously declining rate. >>
A Gateway to Brazil
Telecom firm linked to Jefferson bribe probe helped pay for his, others' travel
WASHINGTON, September 6, 2006 — In February 2004, Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., went to Africa to help set up deals for a telecommunications company whose top executive later pleaded guilty to bribing him. In April of that year, the congressman led a delegation on a weeklong tour of Brazilian cities sponsored in part by the same firm. >>
Drug Makers' Dime Funds Congressional Travel
Pharmaceutical companies, affiliated trade groups spent more than $600,000 on trips
WASHINGTON, August 30, 2006 — Members of Congress and their aides accepted more than $600,000 in free travel from pharmaceutical interests during a 5½-year period in which drug company profits climbed, in part due to federal legislation favorable to the industry. >>
A Vacation from the Rules
Some disclosure filings sketchy on details, tardy despite ethics oversight
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2006 — Much is known about James Dennis' trip to Europe in the spring of 2003. The 10-day trip took the aide to Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., to Berlin, Geneva and London, where he discussed "international tax matters" with local officials. His transportation cost $7,700, his food $1,140, and his lodging $2,180. >>
Sponsors' Gifts Present a Problem
Travelers took goods, services valued above $50 limit as part of expenses
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2006 — In January 2003, Katherine E. Dedrick went to the Kona Hawaiian Resort to speak at a conference sponsored by the American Association of Airport Executives, a trade group. >>
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