• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / News / Loebsack blasts change in reporting privately-financed trips for members of congress

Loebsack blasts change in reporting privately-financed trips for members of congress

July 1, 2014 By O. Kay Henderson

Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack is among those calling for members of congress to continue disclosing any privately-funded trips they may take in an annual financial report that’s available for public scrutiny.

“The Ethics Committee decided unilaterally, without any public input, without talking to members as far as I can tell — decided to change the rules,” Loebsack says.

The committee decided trips members of congress take that are paid for by lobbyists and special interest groups will not be disclosed on one of the most high-profile disclosure reports members file annually. Loebsack, who is a Democrat from Iowa City, says he and rest of congress found out about the change after a media report on Tuesday.

“I’m very upset that this decision was made without consulting members and certainly without consulting the public,” Loebsack says. “I think it was the wrong decision to make.”

Millions of dollars is spent each year on trips for members of congress. In the House, privately financed trips must be approved in advance by the House Ethics Committee. After the trip, members must submit detailed reports and that data is posted online for the public to review. The House Ethics Committee voted in a private meeting to eliminate duplicate disclosure of such trips in the Financial Disclosure Report that members of congress must file each year.

Loebsack says while the trips can be educational, it’s not a good use of time and he refuses all invitations for paid travel.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Dave Loebsack, Democratic Party

Featured Stories

Governor signs child care expansion into law

Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break

Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa

DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol

Iowa’s governor approves liability limits for trucking industry

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa names Beth Goetz interim AD

Cyclone Trio Invited to USA Basketball U19 Training Camp

Cameron Young to compete at the John Deere Classic

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 5/29/23

Iowa AD Gary Barta announces retirement

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC