![]() The eye-popping cost of these trips is likely to expose lawmakers to questions about whether private organizations are paying solely for travel or with an expectation of something more. Among those who attended the retreat were right-wing firebrands Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. ![]() In February of this year, the Conservative Partnership Institute shelled out more than $41,000 for more than two dozen House Republicans to attend a retreat at the Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel, a luxury resort in South Florida. Insider, citing the nonprofit website LegiStorm, reported that private groups had spent more than $280,000 so far this year on trips by members of Congress or their staff, a far cry from the $2.78 million spent on travel to the same point in 2019.īiden received funds from top Russia lobbyist before Nord Stream 2 giveawayĪccording to Insider, the vast majority of members or staffers who accept paid-for travel are Republicans. The paid-for congressional work trip, long a sore spot among good-government types, is making a comeback as the coronavirus pandemic winds down. The three-term House member added that he brought his wife along because he saw the trip as an opportunity “to spend some time together while working on behalf of the American people.” An image of the some of House members on the trip, posted by Sydney Barron Gallego. As Qatar continues to expand its regional diplomatic power and natural-gas production, it is in the United States’ interest that we deepen our relationship.” “They also house one of the US’s largest military bases, which is critical to regional security. They have immense economic and strategic power,” Correa explained to Insider. “Qatar is a major player in the Middle East. The Instagram photo, apparently posted by Gallego’s then-fiancée, now-wife, Sydney Barron Gallego, showed the couple taking in the sights via camel ride with Swalwell and his spouse Brittany Watts.Ī spokesperson for the US-Qatar Business Council told the Post Saturday that the trade group did not pay for any congressional camel rides, but only covered “costs directly associated with travel and the working agenda of the trip.” In a trip organized by USQBC, members of the US House of Representatives including met with Qatari Amir /SeY2KWeYSs- US-Qatar Business Council April 1, 2021 Another image showed the group in discussion with the country’s prime minister. On April 1, the US-Qatar Business Council tweeted a photo of the masked members greeting the country’s monarch, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), and Lisa McClain (R-Mich.). ![]() Swalwell, a prominent member of the House Intelligence Committee, and Gallego were joined by Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) happily posing shirtless while riding camels along the Persian Gulf.Īccording to the outlet, the $84,621.59 bill for the jaunt was picked up by the US-Qatar Business Council, which describes itself as “dedicated exclusively to enhancing the bilateral business relationship between the US and Qatar.” Instagram photos published by Business Insider showed Swalwell and Rep. House Hearing erupts after Republican calls out Swalwell spy gamesĭems demand Greene’s remarks stricken from record after mentioning Swalwell ‘tryst’ with Chinese spyįive House members - including former 2020 presidential candidate Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) - decided to soak up the sun in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar earlier this year on a trip paid for by a trade group, according to a report on Friday. Swalwell’s interaction with suspected Chinese spyĮx-NFLer ‘threatening to execute me’: Dem congressman’ They also favor richer and more powerful groups that can afford to pay the hefty expenses involved.House Ethics Committee concludes probe into Rep. Though not illegal, they happen in an ambiguous ethical area that offers powerful interests a chance to schmooze with and influence lawmakers. These types of privately funded trips - generally paid for by trade groups, universities, or think tanks - are supposed to help lawmakers get on-the-ground, first-hand insight into policy issues that may affect their constituents or legislation they're involved with.īut government ethics experts say there are so many loopholes to be exploited in such excursions. Read more: Members of Congress are going with their spouses on fancy trips that cost thousands of dollars - all paid for by special-interest groups An ethical gray area Luis Correa and Sara Jacobs, both Democrats of California, and Rep. Other House members who attended the all-expense-paid US-Qatar Business Council trip, but don't appear in the camel ride photo, were Reps. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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