Disclosure of International Travel by Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF10142 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
R. Eric Petersen |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
International travel by Members of Congress and their
staffs is an issue of long-standing interest among the public,
media outlets, and Members. Questions regarding the
purposes, destinations, and costs of international travel by
Congress frequently arise, as do questions about the ability
to identify and monitor the costs and benefits of such travel.
International travel in connection with official duties may
be paid for with appropriated funds, or, in limited
circumstances, be funded by a foreign government or
private source, pursuant to House or Senate rules, or statute.
There is no requirement mandating the disclosure of all
international travel by Members of Congress or their staffs
in a manner that provides complete, comparable records of
trips taken, the number of travelers, or costs. Depending on
the source of funding, disclosure of international travel
occurs in one of two ways. International travel paid for with
appropriated funds is subject to limited disclosure, if
foreign currency is used in conjunction with travel.
International and domestic travel that is sponsored by a
foreign government or private entity is subject to
disclosure, including destinations, attendees, costs,
itineraries, and identification of who is paying, pursuant to
the requirements of House or Senate ethics rules.
Overviews of rules, regulations, and statutes governing
congressional international travel paid by a foreign
government and private entities are available from the
House or Senate Ethics Committees’ websites. This In
Focus considers the disclosure of travel paid for with
appropriated funds.
