WASHINGTON - As the Abramoff lobbying scandal continues to haunt Capitol Hill, lawmakers have been debating a package of reforms that includes a proposed ban on trips funded by outside groups such as businesses, trade groups and think tanks.

Under current rules, members of Congress cannot accept trips from lobbyists or lobbying firms. But House Speaker Dennis Hastert wants to ban all privately funded travel for House members. No member of Congress from Wyoming agrees with him, although U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas supports some restrictions.

"I know fact-finding trips are important," Hastert said. "But private travel has been abused by some, and I believe we need to put an end to it."

But newly elected House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, disagrees, and advocates instead for restrictions such as requiring advance approval by the ethics committees.

"We can't lock members up in a cubbyhole here in Washington and never let them see what's going on around the country and around the world," Boehner said on Fox News Sunday. "Members need to be educated. They need to be kept up to speed on what's happening."

Members of Congress during the last six years have received travel worth $19.7 million that was paid for by private organizations, according to an analysis by PoliticalMoneyLine, a Washington-based group that tracks money in politics.

Thomas, R-Wyo., says Congress needs to crack down on trips that violate existing rules and that some additional restrictions may be needed since "some have violated the spirit of those guidelines," said spokesman Cameron Hardy.

"The senator will support reform efforts that include more transparency about what trips are being taken and who is paying for the trips," Hardy said. "He will also look closely at additional travel restrictions, including a ban on travel that is deemed extracurricular or a conflict of interest."

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., will decide whether to support travel reform proposals after they have been through the committee process and debated on the Senate floor, but does not support an outright ban, said spokesman Coy Knobel.

"In light of the current climate the scrutiny is likely to increase, but Sen. Enzi hopes we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater and that we continue to make reasonable allowances for travel that is essential for a climate of learning," Knobel said. "It would be a shame to lose a valuable resource and make it harder for leaders to get the information they need."

Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., said she does not see the need for reform efforts.

"These conferences are a valuable resource and so long as all the current rules are enforced and proper reporting is done, I have no problem with the present system," she said in a statement. "Punish those few people who break the rules, don't make everyone look guilty by changing the rules."