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Caught Our Eye

Interest groups have lost out on $1.8 million in congressional influence so far this year

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on July 6, 2020

No longer dropping big bucks on private travel for members and their staff, interest groups may see their congressional influence wane until the pandemic's end.

In the first six months of 2020, private sponsors have spent less than $700,000 on congressional travel. That's about $1.8 million less per year than the $2.5 million spent during the same time period in 2018 and 2016.

Interest groups, which normally spend large sums on international and domestic travel in the hopes of making and influencing congressional allies, employ their highest travel expenses in the summer months. This year, there have been no trips since early March.