Congressional staff and their bosses spent weeks off Capitol Hill in 2014 flying around the world on nearly 2,000 privately sponsored trips.
The globe-trotters visited 50 countries over the course of 2014, and spent $5.1 million. For the top 10 most expensive trips, travelers spent more than $20,000 on each.
The top 10 most popular countries other than the U.S. for trips were:
1. Israel with 122 trips costing $1,504,875
2. Turkey with 67 trips costing $375,104
3. Japan with 40 trips costing $477,244
4. Belgium with 25 trips costing $70,022
5. Colombia with 24 trips costing $133,226
6. Italy with 23 trips costing $301,644
7. Cuba with 22 trips costing $71,048
8. Vatican City with 18 trips costing $237,693
9. France with 15 trips costing $65,077
10. Germany with 14 trips costing $55,338
Of the 1,942 trips, one was the most expensive since LegiStorm began tracking trips in 2000. The top 10 most expensive in 2014 were:
1. Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) at $49,635 for a Feb. 15-22 trip to Australia sponsored by Defence Teaming Centre Inc.
2. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) at $26,775 for a Nov. 21-26 trip to Cambodia sponsored by Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere Inc.
3. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) at $26,066 for a Aug. 2-13 trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation
4. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) at $25,596 for a Aug. 2-10 trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation
5. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) at $25,449 for a Feb. 15-22 trip to Japan sponsored by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
6. Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) at $25,420 for a May 9-15 trip to Israel sponsored by the International Israel Allies Caucus Foundation
7. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) at $25,021 for a Feb. 15-22 trip to Japan sponsored by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
8. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) at $24,895 for a May 9-15 trip to Israel sponsored by the International Israel Allies Caucus Foundation
9. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) at $24,621 for a Feb. 15-22 trip to Japan sponsored by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
10. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) at $24,284 for a Aug. 2-14 trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation
View other trip statistics for 2014 according to filed disclosures here.
