With Congress on a 10-day break, some lawmakers have spread out across the globe on what are known as "CODELs" - Congressional Delegation trips.
The first that popped up was one involving House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who has gone to Italy with three other Democrats and one Republican.
Here's the rundown from Pelosi's office:
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement upon the arrival of a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Italy this morning. Democratic Leader Pelosi was invited by the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini, to mark the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.
"I am honored to visit Italy with a bipartisan Congressional delegation to mark the 150th anniversary of Italian unification," Leader Pelosi said. "This is a time to celebrate the birth of modern Italy and the brave patriots who made it possible. It is also an opportunity to honor the ties between the United States and Italy: America is a land discovered by an Italian, named for an Italian, and built by millions of Italian Americans. Our shared history and culture only serve to strengthen the U.S.-Italy alliance in this new century, and through the Italian-American community, there are literally millions of bridges between our two nations."
The bipartisan delegation will also visit with American troops stationed in Italy and receive briefings on U.S. military support operations, including those in Africa and South Asia.
"My first official trip abroad this year is a visit with our brave men and women in uniform," Pelosi said. "We have thousands of members of our armed forces stationed in Italy, many of whom have served our nation with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has no greater ally in NATO than Italy, which is why the delegation looks forward to meeting with President Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini, and members of the Italian Parliament to discuss issues of concern and cooperation."
In addition to Democratic Leader Pelosi, the members of the delegation are:
• Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
• Congressman John Mica (R-FL)
• Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA)
• Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)
