Senators flew to Munich on your dime while DHS shut down and House trips were canceled

TLDR:

• Senators flew to Munich on taxpayer funds while the DHS shutdown forced House trip cancellations
• The contrasting rules put a fresh spotlight on the murky world of congressional overseas travel
• No single source tracks who goes where, how much it costs or who pays for congressional trips
• A watchdog group warns that privately sponsored travel remains vulnerable to special interest abuse

While the Department of Homeland Security shut down Feb. 14 after Senate Democrats blocked funding, a group of senators was wheels-up to Munich, Germany, for an international security conference — all on the taxpayer’s dime.

House members had a congressional delegation trip, known as a CODEL, planned for Munich as well, but it was scrapped due to the shutdown. Some House members opted to attend anyway, paying their own way.

The contrasting rules exposed a rarely scrutinized corner of Congress: international travel that remains largely opaque to the public.

“No single source identifies all international travel undertaken by the House or Senate,” the Congressional Research Service said, noting there is no way to track trips taken, destinations, travelers or total costs.

The State Department helps coordinate more than 500 CODELs in a typical year. Taxpayer-funded trips are subject to disclosure only when foreign currency is used, leaving vast expenses — including military flights and Capitol Police escorts — unreported.

Public Citizen, a government watchdog group, warns that privately sponsored travel remains vulnerable to abuse by corporations and special interest groups.

Read more:

• Lawmakers’ trip to Munich during DHS shutdown puts spotlight on Congress’ pricey junkets