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This Chart Shows How Much Congress Loves to Get Out of the Country

Feb. 19, 2013 6:15pm Becket Adams

Between 2006 and 2011, U.S. lawmakers and their staff made roughly 800 “cultural exchange trips” courtesy of foreign governments, the Washington Post notes.

“The trips benefit from a broad exemption from ethics rules and most Capitol Hill employees never need to disclose their participation,” the report adds, citing data collected by Legistorm.com.

Using more than 130,000 of personal financial forms, the WaPo put together the following chart illustrating Congress’ globetrotting lifestyle:

Between 2006 and 2011, U.S. lawmakers Made Roughly 800 Cultural Exchange Trips

WaPo

As the above chart clearly illustrates, the bulk of U.S. lawmakers’ time abroad has been spent in China (226 collective visits), Taiwan (121), and Saudi Arabia (65).

Final Thought: If you’ve ever wondered why it seems like nothing gets done in Washington, it might have something to do with the fact that our elected officials love to travel.

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Featured image courtesy WaPo.

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Comments (26)

shortnsweet
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:59am
How many went to the state they represent over the break?
When Chuck Hagle was a Senator and appeared in his home state, the running joke was:
“The Senator is visiting a foreign land, Nebraska.”

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jessieH
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:09am
The problem is, they keep coming back.

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huey6367
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:40am
Seems fitting. They don’t appear to love this country anyway. And they aren’t paying for it so what do they care?

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PunkMooCow
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:16am
Someone set them up with a skype account please!!

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Zee_Obama_In_Zee_PeePee_By_Zee_Glenn_Beck
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:17am
“This Chart Shows How Much Congress Loves to Get Out of the Country”

“The Mark Levin Show” 02-18-13
http://www.marklevinshow.com/sectional.asp?id=32930
@36:30

“It’s Presidents Day. We’ve had some really, really awful Presidents, but we get to celebrate all of them. Like James Buchanan. He was a great one. Presidents Day. Makes me want to fly off to West Palm Beach in Florida and play golf for three days. But then again I’d actually have to pay for that trip, as would you. Here I am on Monday, like most of the rest of you, working. Although I don’t really consider this work because I love it. But Obama wanted to be President of the United States and he spends more time not being President of the United States then any President of the United States that I remember. Playing golf with ‘Tiger Woods’. There’s a role-model. And of course his wife and kids in I think Aspen Colorado, Boulder Colorado, whatever.”

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nzkiwi
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:59am
While it would be easy to chip those politicians for their globetrotting ways, I think that the graphic tells a much more interesting story.

It may give an indication of what is on the government’s mind. The Middle-East records are interesting, as are the Asian records.

It is also curious that there are no less than 13 visits to my country while there are only 9 to Australia.

This bears further thought…

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- 4xeverything
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:16am
  Isn’t underaged prostitution legal (or at least has a blind eye turned to it) in South East Asia? Further investigation is definitely needed.
  
  Or perhaps they also think dog is chewy yet delicious. Too many questions and way too much time on my hands.
  
  Report this comment
- Navyguy62
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:06am
  Having travelled the world and visited most continents I can honestly say that NZ is the MOST awesome place I have ever been. If it were not for their gun control legislation, I would move there tommorrow!!!!
  
  Report this comment
dmerwin
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:07am
I think a moratorium on ALL taxpayer funded travel is in order until the national debt is paid off. This would include presidential vacations and travel. Barry can get a Skype account for official business.

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badge02812
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:42pm
What really stands out for me is the thousands of trips to ISRAEL .
ps. Has anyone seen @The_Jerk_Off for the anti-Israel commentary ????????

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FiscalBill
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:24pm
So Congress’ new motto is “Get Elected See the World!” ?

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:53pm
I say we ground all air travel out of the country until two things happen:

1. We get a budget.

2. They vote on the House of Representatives repealing the Affordable Health Care Act?

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Psychosis
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:51pm
i thought they all bowed to israel …………..with a mere 5 trips there, and 170 trips to the surrounding countries it looks like jihad jerk is again completely wrong ………………..color me shocked ( not racist whistle is it ? )

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Vision Harry
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:21pm
Follow the money. What a scam. Even those whom are freshly elected fall prey to the perks and power
swirling in the cesspool of Washington. I’m betting half of these congressmen are on the Gov’t Oversight Committee. Lock and Load

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denkat56
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:35pm
Fraud, waste and abuse at the highest level is often the most abused. Pelosi flew 3 military aircraft full of friends and relatives over to Europe for Obama’s peace prize, and global warming summit. How about Michelle taking vacations every other week, at the cost of over half a million a trip. How about Obama giving free rides on air force one, to secure his Obama care. The list goes on and on, and tax payers pick up the bill.

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gyro
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:27pm
If you lived in the USA would you not want to leave ?

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hi
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:06pm
This is ridiculous. They should be forced to use “Go to Meeting.” I’m so tired of the fraud, waste, and abuse of our hard earned tax dollars especially Obama’s trip to West Palm and Michelle’s to Aspen. Did you notice she had numerous people protecting her? They all stay in the finest places. Cut the benefits to being an elected official. It’s just insane.

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:29pm
  Hi Hi…
  All elected officials should be paid the median household income, from the prior year, for their town, county, or state,… with regard to their position.
  Their travel should be audited quarterly.
  I’d rather the IRS spent it’s resources on them than investigating who’s ducking Obamacare.
  I’m sure they’d find more improprieties.
  
  Report this comment
- 1911a1
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:38pm
  Eastin , I think a mandatory 20 yr prison term for elected officials whom accept any other money other than their salary as an elected official. IE Lobbiest , special enterest gruops . campign contributions and trading in the market .
  l
  
  Report this comment
FISH_BONE
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:06pm
Do we have a chart on the golf courses the Kenyan maggot has visited over the last 5 years?

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Eastinfection
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:39pm
Don’t just “pop-by” Mr. and Mrs. Congressperson…

Stay a while. See how crappy life really is when you’re living in the armpits of Earth.
Pay very special attention to the countries that produce the most pain……
they are all Dictators, Marxists, or both.

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- Fubared
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:57pm
  Uh, their state dept PSD can’t let that happen. They look at pictures though, just not enough scratch and sniffs.
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:16pm
  ha FUBARED!..
  
  From what i hear- you can get a plenty-good whiff of Egypt right now, regardless of your scratching efforts….
  
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Maximus_Delta
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:38pm
165 trips to countries in the middle east and 5 trips to Israel. I see they love China.

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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:27pm
Sure would be nice if those were one-way trips.

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chips1
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:24pm
It’s a long way down the “Green Mile”.

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