[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CONGRESSIONAL TRAVEL

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                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, May 20, 1998 into the Congressional Record.

                     Reforming Congressional Travel

       One of the biggest changes I have seen during my years in 
     Congress is an explosion in the number of complex issues 
     Members of Congress are called upon to consider. Fortunately, 
     Members have a host of resources on which they can rely for 
     information, but these are no substitute for a Member's 
     personal observations and experience. To get the broadest 
     possible exposure to issues before Congress, Members must 
     sometimes travel.
       Congressional travel is frequently viewed with skepticism 
     by the public, who worry that Members travel too often at too 
     great an expense, with more emphasis on recreation than 
     substance. They also voice concern about trips paid for by 
     special-interest groups who are trying to influence the 
     legislative process. Congress has in recent years placed 
     greater restrictions on travel, but occasional reports of 
     abuses continue to raise the public's ire, with the 
     unfortunate effect of discouraging some legitimate and useful 
     congressional travel. Many Members do not travel at all 
     because they fear the political consequences from being 
     accused of taking a junket. I recently introduced a travel 
     reform package which seeks to address some of the problems 
     with congressional travel while enhancing its benefits to 
     Congress and the public.
       Reasons for travel: Domestic and foreign travel can greatly 
     enhance a Member's knowledge, improving the quality of 
     legislation and congressional oversight. In our system of 
     government, Congress has the power of the purse. With this 
     power to spend money comes the equally important 
     responsibility to ensure that it is well-spent; and direct, 
     personal oversight by Members of Congress is essential. Some 
     congressional trips save taxpayer dollars by exposing 
     wasteful programs both at home and abroad. Travel can improve 
     a Member's understanding of the impact government policies 
     have on a particular region or group of citizens and can also 
     increase the public's knowledge of issues before Congress.
       Foreign travel increases the expertise of Members on 
     programs and issues that commit significant United States 
     resources abroad, from programs to promote U.S. exports to 
     overseas military deployments to food aid for developing 
     nations. Travel also alerts Members to foreign trade 
     opportunities which can directly benefit constituents in 
     their home districts. Moreover, Members can advance our 
     national interests: because they do not represent the 
     President directly, sometimes they can say things that U.S. 
     diplomats cannot. It is ironic that there are strong 
     pressures against foreign congressional travel at the very 
     time that America's security and economic interests are 
     broader and more complex than ever.
       Problems: The purpose of some congressional travel, 
     however, is dubious. Particularly troublesome is travel paid 
     for by groups who have a direct interest in legislation 
     before Congress. Some groups, for example, will invite 
     Members and staff to attend seminars or conferences at 
     resorts or other appealing locations. Though these meetings 
     are ostensibly to explore important issues, most are really 
     aimed at advancing a specific point of view and gaining 
     access for lobbyists to key Members and staff. These sorts of 
     trips create at the very least the perception that Members of 
     Congress are accepting nice trips in exchange for their 
     votes. While I think this sort of gross exchange of votes for 
     favors is rare, these trips do allow special interests to 
     have greater access to Members of Congress, and with access 
     often comes influence.
       There are also questions about whether Members travel too 
     lavishly and at too great an expense. Many congressional 
     trips involve the use of military aircraft, which is 
     sometimes justified. In addition, Members' spouses sometimes 
     accompany them on trips, even though there may not be in all 
     cases a legitimate reason for them to do so.
       Reforms needed: Congress can do a better job of ensuring 
     that travel serves legitimate purposes. Recent reforms have 
     been helpful. In 1995, for example, the House enacted a gift 
     ban which required Members and staff to disclose any travel 
     paid for by private funds and emphasized that trips must 
     relate to the official business of the House. But loopholes 
     remain in the rules. In an effort to improve accountability 
     in congressional travel, I recently introduced a travel 
     reform resolution which would:
       Improve reporting requirements: The House currently 
     requires Members and staff to file reports for certain types 
     of travel. These reports often include the source of funds 
     paying for travel, and an estimate of the cost of 
     transportation, food, lodging, and other expenses. My 
     proposal would require reports to also include a detailed 
     itinerary and policy findings and recommendations; more 
     information on private sources who fund trips; estimates of 
     the costs of travel provided by a foreign government; and, if 
     transportation is provided by the Department of Defense, an 
     estimate of the cost equivalent commercial transportation.
       Make travel records more accessible to the public: 
     Currently, only reports for government-funded foreign travel 
     are made widely available to the public. My proposal would 
     require the House to publish in the Congressional Record and 
     on the Internet a compilation of all travel reports for each 
     calender quarter, as well as an annual summary of all House 
     travel.
       Ethics Committee approval for privately-funded trips: Under 
     my proposal, travel funded by private sources would require 
     advance authorization from the House Ethics Committee. The 
     Ethics Committee would have to examine whether the person or 
     group paying for the trip has a direct interest in 
     legislation before Congress, and whether acceptance of the 
     trip would have an adverse impact on the integrity of the 
     legislative process.
       Restrict perks: My proposal would prohibit Members and 
     staff from accepting first-class airfare. Meals and lodging 
     in excess of the federal employee per-diem rate would also be 
     prohibited unless previously authorized by the House Ethnics 
     Committee. Moreover, travel by spouses or family members 
     would be limited.
       Conclusion: I firmly believe that when congressional travel 
     is done right, it can greatly benefit Members of Congress and 
     the citizens they represent. The question is not whether to 
     abolish congressional travel, but how to get rid of frivolous 
     travel while maintaining the worthwhile. My hope is that by 
     putting in place stronger safeguards against travel abuses, 
     good, substantive congressional travel will enjoy the support 
     of Members and the public.

     

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