Berkley among U.S. lawmakers on weeklong tour of Latin America

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley is in the midst of a weeklong trip to Latin America with three other lawmakers, her office disclosed Monday.

The House members departed Washington Sunday for Panama City, Panama. The group was scheduled to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Tuesday and to Cartagena, Colombia, later in the week.

The delegation was being led by Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., chairman of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee. The identities of the other travelers could not be immediately determined.

Berkley, D-Nev., a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, was joined by her husband, Dr Larry Lehrner.

The purpose of the government-funded trip was to meet with U.S. diplomats and Latin American officials on the hemisphere's economy, military security, counterterrorism and drug enforcement, according to Richard Urey, Berkley's chief of staff.

An itinerary included scheduled meetings with the presidents of the Latin American nations.

Berkley was the only Nevada member of Congress scheduled to travel overseas during the holiday recess, which ends Jan. 12 for the House and Jan. 20 for the Senate.