Public pays for congressional foreign trips

— -- Though new ethics rules have curbed privately funded travel by members of Congress in recent years, taxpayers are increasingly picking up the tab for lawmakers' foreign travel, according to congressional travel records.

In the 2007-08 term, Congress spent about $5.2 million on lawmakers' trips to countries such as France, Kuwait and Jordan, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Senate records contained in the Congressional Record and House of Representative records compiled by the non-partisan CQ MoneyLine.

That's up 6% compared with the previous congressional session in 2005-06, when members spent about $4.9 million on foreign travel, and up 30% compared with 2003-04, the data show.

Taxpayers also pay for the travel expenses of congressional aides on the official trips. In 2008 alone, Congress spent about $15.5 million on foreign travel for lawmakers and their aides, according to the analysis.

Meanwhile, the cost of all congressional travel funded by private groups dropped to $3.4 million during the 2007-08 congressional term from $5.2 million in 2005-06, according to CQ MoneyLine. That's because of ethics rules adopted in 2007 that placed restrictions on travel paid for by private groups.

Watchdog groups say these official trips can give lawmakers perspective on policy issues. However, they say more disclosure is needed to ensure lawmakers aren't vacationing on the taxpayers' dime. "Given the economic place that we are in right now, people all over the country are cutting back on travel," said Mary Boyle, spokeswoman for Common Cause. "It would make sense that Congress might consider that also."

Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said itineraries and lodging should be more publicized. Information available in the Congressional Record lists only the cost of the trip, the country visited and the committee or congressional delegation that sponsored the trip. In addition, House members disclose the dates of their trips.