New Congress to Consider Ban on Privately Funded Trips

In an effort to show the voters that the Democratic majority is cleaning house on Capitol Hill, the new leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives plans to consider changing the body’s ethics rules to permanently ban privately funded travel for Members of Congress and their staff. If successful, this action could prevent nonprofit organizations from taking Members and staff on study tours that effectively demonstrate the impact of U.S. global health policies on people and programs overseas. 

Grassroots efforts are underway to encourage House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to come up with a sensible plan to allow for trips that have a clear educational purpose. One proposed compromise would require a committee or an ethics office to approve all trips, but the logistics of creating such a system would be challenging. 

While the solutions may not be simple, an outright ban would severely limit the ability of nonprofit organizations to educate Congress about critical issues. For example, EngenderHealth recently led a study tour on family planning to Ethiopia. The trip was life-changing for the delegates, who returned with renewed commitment and energy to work to improve the political climate for international family planning.

Individuals concerned about the effects of such a ban are encouraged to contact the House leadership now to urge that ethics reforms not ban privately funded Congressional travel outright and continue to allow educational and fact-finding trips funded by legitimate nonprofit organizations.