U.S. Officials Get a Generous Allowance for Foreign Travel

U.S. officials receive a far heftier allowance for conducting business abroad than their counterparts in the United Kingdom or the European Union. A study of over one hundred major cities across the globe conducted by the Center for Public Integrity has found that on average U.S. officials get 30% more money per day while working.

The graph below illustrates the range of spending government officials are awarded by select cities, with U.S. officials consistently coming away with more to spend per day. Congress has not passed any substantial legislation addressing government allowances since the 1980’s. Critics doubt Congress’ ability to effectively oversee an issue that directly benefits them, with some comparing the practice to a fox watching a henhouse.