Sam Brownback went on an unpublicized, eight-day trade mission to Israel in late August and early September that included a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The trip came a month after President Donald Trump nominated Brownback to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. But Brownback administration officials said the trip promoted Kansas businesses and sought to further ties between the state and Israel. In July, before the trip, the department signed a contract in July worth up to $4,800 with a firm formed by Margie Robinow to help arranged the trip. Kansas first lady Mary Brownback and the couple's youngest daughter, Jenna, also went on the trip but paid their own way, Doel said.

Source: ABC News October 03, 2017 16:52 UTC