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House extends review of Roskam trip to Taiwan

The U.S. House Committee on Ethics Wednesday extended a review into U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam's 2011 trip to Taiwan.

The panel began looking into whether the Taiwanese government improperly funded the $25,000 trip after an Office of Congressional Ethics report called for an additional review.

Roskam has argued the Committee on Ethics reviewed and signed off on the trip, which was paid for by Chinese Cultural University in Taipei, before he left. “The record reflects that Rep. Roskam fully complied with all laws, rules, and procedures related to privately sponsored travel,” spokeswoman Stephanie Kittredge said in July.

Documents about the trip released by the committee today had already been voluntarily released by the Wheaton Republican in July.

The committee posted a statement online today noting the review, which was first made public in July, has been extended by 45 days.

“The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review of a referral, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee,” the statement reads.

Roskam took the seven-day trip with his wife at a time when his daughter also was in Taiwan. Congressional rules allow lawmakers to take privately funded trips that are approved in advance by the Committee on Ethics.

But the other panel, the Office of Congressional Ethics, said the trip may have been largely organized by the government of Taiwan. That sparked a further review.

In 45 days, the committee could decide to extend its review again, drop the matter or decide some kind of discipline is appropriate.

Roskam is a key member of the House GOP leadership team, serving as chief deputy whip.

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