I have been invited to participate on a fact-finding trip paid for by a private source. Does the trip have to be reviewed by the Committee on Ethics? If so, how do I get the trip approved?

Yes, the trip must be reviewed by the Committee. Pursuant to House Rules, House Members and employees must obtain written Committee approval of privately-sponsored travel PRIOR to traveling.  To obtain approval, the traveler must submit to the Committee, more than 30 days in advance of travel, a complete Traveler Form and a Primary Trip Sponsor Form filled out by the private sponsor. For complete information, see Travel Regulations.

 

I have been invited to travel overseas by a foreign government under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA). Must I obtain approval by the Committee on Ethics to participate? Must I file a post-travel disclosure form?

No, House Members and employees do not need Committee approval to accept travel paid for by a foreign government under MECEA. Although a post-travel form need not be filed, Members and senior staff must disclose MECEA travel on their annual Financial Disclosure Report.  We encourage you to contact the State Department to confirm that your offer of travel complies with the MECEA agreement for that foreign country.  For complete information, see Travel Paid for by a Foreign Government.