Washington’s latest fiscal fiasco has grounded lawmakers before they could even pack their bags. Several official congressional trips, known as CODELs, have been scrapped next week as the threat of a government shutdown looms large over Capitol Hill, as Axios reports. It’s a stark reminder that when the federal piggy bank runs dry, even the best-laid plans take a nosedive.
With federal funding set to expire at midnight on September 30, 2025, the cancellation of these trips signals deep concern among lawmakers as Republican and Democratic leaders remain deadlocked on a temporary spending measure.
These aren’t just any junkets—CODELs are government-funded delegations meant for oversight and fact-finding. At least two trips, organized by the House Oversight and Science, Space, and Technology Committees, have been axed. A third cancellation was also noted by a lawmaker slated for the Oversight trip.
The Science, Space, and Technology Committee had big plans to visit Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. Now, those plans are on ice, with five sources confirming the cancellations were tied directly to the looming shutdown. It’s a shame when critical work gets sidelined by Washington’s inability to balance a checkbook.
A lawmaker set for the Oversight trip explained, “Decision was made by members.” Well, isn’t that a convenient way to dodge accountability? When planes and hotels aren’t refundable, someone’s got to foot the bill, and it won’t be the taxpayers if the government grinds to a halt.
Not all CODELs are off the table—yet. A Republican leadership source noted that individual members, not party bosses, are making the calls on whether to cancel. Meanwhile, one House Republican awaiting a trip next week hasn’t even gotten a memo on their status.
If the shutdown hits on October 1, 2025, all bets are off—every single trip will be canceled, no exceptions. That’s the harsh reality of a government that can’t get its act together. It’s not just about missed flights; it’s about missed opportunities for oversight and progress.
A senior House Democrat declared, “CODELs cannot happen.” Hard to argue with that logic when there’s no legislative appropriation to fund them. But let’s be real—shouldn’t the focus be on avoiding this mess altogether instead of stating the obvious?
The financial and logistical headaches of these cancellations are no small matter. Taxpayer dollars are tied up in non-refundable bookings, and now lawmakers are left scrambling. It’s almost poetic justice for a Congress that can’t seem to agree on the basics.
The partisan divide on Capitol Hill isn’t just a talking point—it’s a wrecking ball. With no deal in sight between Republican and Democratic leadership, the threat of a shutdown grows by the hour. Lawmakers are right to be worried; their work doesn’t stop just because the budget does.
These cancellations are a flashing neon sign that a shutdown is more than a hypothetical. They’re a preemptive strike by members who see the writing on the wall. And who can blame them for not wanting to be stranded mid-trip when the government hits the brakes?
Still, it’s frustrating to see essential oversight missions get the axe while the political class bickers. The Science Committee’s trip to national labs could have yielded insights into critical technology and security issues. Instead, we’re stuck debating whether the lights will even stay on in Washington.
Let’s not forget the cost—literal and figurative—to the American people. When CODELs get canceled, it’s not just lawmakers who lose out; it’s the public that misses the benefits of their findings. Turns out, gridlock has a price tag, and we’re all paying it.
The clock is ticking toward September 30, and the lack of a spending agreement is a glaring failure of leadership on both sides. While some trips hang in limbo, the uncertainty alone is enough to grind government functions to a halt. It’s a sad state of affairs when even the most basic duties of Congress are held hostage by partisan posturing.
Washington, take note: the American people expect better than this budgetary brinkmanship. A shutdown isn’t just an inconvenience for lawmakers’ travel plans—it’s a betrayal of trust for every citizen counting on a functioning government. Maybe it’s time for both parties to stop pointing fingers and start passing bills.
