Posted by Jenna Ebersole on Feb. 2, 2015
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.
Some people and organizations who "caught our eye" last week:
Staff contact directory