Seeing Is Believing: PAI Opposes Outright Congressional Travel Ban

Washington, DC - January 30, 2006

PAI urges Congress to find a sensible, measured alternative to a proposed unilateral ban on all privately-funded congressional travel. As congressional leaders wrestle with the fallout from the latest corruption charges involving unethical travel gifts, educational opportunities – such as a cancelled upcoming trip to look at family planning clinics in Tanzania, sponsored in part by PAI – are being missed.

Tanzania trip attendees might have talked with midwives who use U.S. funds for buying clean razor blades to cut umbilical cords – thus avoiding potentially fatal infections for mothers and their babies. Attendees might have returned with a greater understanding of how a country such as Tanzania – where women so desperately want to control their child-bearing – can experience shortages of contraceptive supplies and how U.S. policies are hindering supply distribution.

We know that seeing is believing. For 15 years, PAI has organized and led overseas tours for members of Congress and their staff. On study trips to countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Thailand, Ghana, Guatemala and China, we have seen the impact of visiting programs in person – an impact that cannot be duplicated through newspaper articles, videos or reports. PAI’s study trips have led to innovative pieces of legislation that make funding more efficient at reaching those who need it most.

We join the voices condemning unethical junkets for members of Congress, and we endorse reforms that will ensure that privately-funded trips for congressional delegations are substantive and legitimate. But we are deeply concerned at the thought of an outright ban on all trips. Such a move would be counter to the interests of scores of people in developing nations whose stories need to be told in their own voices.

With every stamp on their passports, congressional leaders take further steps toward blurring the lines of distinction between “us” and “them,” and learn about the impact of U.S. policies on our global neighbors. We urge Congress to find a reasonable solution to the problem of unethical travel, while still allowing privately-funded trips that educate and illuminate policymakers, and – most importantly – have the ability to improve the lives of people worldwide.PAI urges Congress to find a sensible, measured alternative to a proposed unilateral ban on all privately-funded congressional travel. As congressional leaders wrestle with the fallout from the latest corruption charges involving unethical travel gifts, educational opportunities – such as a cancelled upcoming trip to look at family planning clinics in Tanzania, sponsored in part by PAI – are being missed.

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.