Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) accepted $63,000 in privately funded travel in 2023 ― the seventh highest of any member of Congress that year. Since announcing in early January that he will not seek reelection, Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) has already beaten that.
Less than two weeks after announcing that he will retire at the end of this term, Bucshon embarked on a week-long trip to Japan, sponsored by Former Members of Congress. The interest group spent $227,000 total on eight members and several of their spouses, including $35,300 on Bucshon and his wife. This was Bucshon's fifth year attending FMC's Japanese "study tour," which focuses on U.S.-Japanese policy and cultural issues.
A month later, Bucshon and his wife traveled to South Africa, courtesy of the Aspen Institute. The week-long program focused on U.S.-African relations and cost the institute $416,000 total for 18 members and several of their spouses. The Bucshons' travel was worth $28,200, according to ethics disclosures.
Bucshon's two trips clock in at a value of $63,500, all within the first three months of the year. The highest total travel expenses in 2023 belonged to Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) at $91,000. Bucshon accepted travel worth $47,700 that year.
Privately sponsored travel is typically much lower in election years.
