Quick Breakdown: What is a CODEL?

A CODEL is a COngressional DELegation, which is an official trip taken by Members of Congress to meet with leaders outside of Washington, both in the United States and abroad. These trips give lawmakers the chance to see conditions first-hand, gather information on important issues, strengthen relationships, and conduct oversight of federal activities. The Federal Executive Branch helps to coordinate these visits, either through the State Department or Department of Defense, working with embassies, congressional staff, and military liaisons. CODELs are distinct from STAFFDELs, which are delegations made up of congressional staff rather than elected Members. They take place regularly, often during congressional recesses, and provide valuable insight that informs the decisions made back in Washington. We see a lot of CODELs and STAFFDELs in the region, and I hope to see more in the future, so I thought a quick breakdown on what they are would be helpful.