Rep. Zach Nunn Took Donor-Funded European Tour During 76-Day Government Shutdown

Rep. Zach Nunn traveled to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 29 to April 4 on an all-expenses-paid trip that included his wife, Kelly, according to his official House disclosure. The weeklong itinerary was sponsored by the Republican Main Street Partnership and combined formal meetings with high-end tourism while many Iowans were affected by a prolonged federal shutdown.

Trip Purpose and Itinerary

The trip was described as work related to U.S.-U.K. relations and business development tied to Nunn's role on the House Financial Services Committee. The schedule included meetings and receptions with corporate and stakeholder representatives — including Coupang executives, breakfast with Ørsted's U.S. chief executive, and visits to Meta and Salesforce — alongside extensive cultural and tourist stops. (Note: Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom.)

Tour highlights included a private guided visit to Edinburgh Castle, a walk down the Royal Mile, a stop at Falkland Palace in Scotland, viewing the Book of Kells in Dublin, and attending the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

Cost And Disclosure

House disclosure records list $15,400 in gift travel for Nunn alone. The Republican Main Street Partnership covered the couple's travel, with an estimated $330 per person for meals and incidentals reported. LegiStorm, which tracks congressional travel, shows Nunn spent $86,784.22 on member travel in the 119th Congress, the third-highest total among House members so far.

Context And Criticism

The trip occurred amid a 76-day government shutdown that left many Department of Homeland Security employees unpaid and strained operations at agencies including the Coast Guard, FEMA and the Transportation Security Administration. Thousands of Iowans also gathered at the state Capitol in Des Moines for a nationwide day of protest against the Trump administration while the trip took place.

Nunn's foreign travel is one of several costly trips he has taken this Congress — other destinations include Greece, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland — and drew scrutiny given his public support for the Trump administration's military action in Iran. Analysts and official minority staff estimates have tied that conflict to higher energy costs: Moody's Analytics estimated roughly $750 in extra costs per U.S. household (about $100 billion nationwide) as of June, while the Joint Economic Committee minority staff estimated Iowa households paid about $516 more in gas costs since the conflict began.

Nunn has defended his support for the administration's actions; he told a Politico Pro reporter that inflation concerns tied to the war were "overhyped, candidly," and has framed sacrifices as part of protecting national interests. Critics say the optics of donor-funded, tourism-heavy travel during a major domestic hardship undercut his stated priorities of putting service first, lowering taxes and balancing the budget. Nunn's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump poses with Nunn and his wife, Kelly, at a restaurant in Iowa in January. / Win McNamee / Getty Images

Kelly Nunn pictured in August. / Leon Neal / Getty Images

Nunn visited the Tower of London on his tour. / Xinhua News Agency / Xinhua News Agency via Getty Ima

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. / Ken Jack / Getty Images

Nunn rolled out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at an event last month. / Zach Nunn / X

Pete Hegseth appears onstage at a campaign event for Nunn on day five of the Iowa State Fair on August 17. / Leon Neal / Getty Images

Nunn (far left) at an Oval Office event in May. Trump appears to like the Iowa lawmaker. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images