The House Ethics Committee announced on Monday that it will be conducting a review based on a congressional watchdog report that uncovered potential misuse of campaign funds by U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt. The report found that both Republican congressmen from Texas had used thousands of dollars of campaign funds for their personal use. Specifically, Jackson’s campaign committee, Texans for Ronny Jackson, was found to have spent nearly $12,000 on expenses related to the Amarillo Club, a private club in Texas, between 2020 and 2024. On the other hand, Hunt’s campaign committee paid over $5,400 to the Oak Room, a private club in Houston, in 2022 and 2023.
House Ethics Committee Review
Following the findings from the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee received referrals concerning Jackson and Hunt in late March. The committee, led by Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Susan Wild, decided on May 9 to review the matter. However, the press release for Hunt included a detailed response from the congressman’s attorneys, who vehemently denied any misuse of campaign funds for personal use. They argued that all payments made to the Post Oak Hotel were solely for campaign-related purposes and not for personal benefit. Hunt’s attorneys further explained that the decisions made regarding club memberships were in the best interest of the campaign’s operations.
While Hunt’s office provided a comprehensive response defending their actions, Jackson’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The OCE reports highlighted that if either congressman’s campaign committee spent funds that were not for legitimate campaign purposes, it would be a violation of House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law. The reports also indicated that neither Jackson nor Hunt fully cooperated with the investigations, prompting the OCE to recommend subpoenas for both congressmen.
This is not the first time Jackson has come under scrutiny for his use of campaign funds. Prior to his entry into Congress in 2020, he was accused by the OCE of misusing campaign donations at the Amarillo Club. The ongoing investigations into the alleged improper use of campaign funds by both Jackson and Hunt could have serious consequences if the Ethics Committee finds evidence of wrongdoing.
The allegations of campaign fund misuse against U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt are concerning and raise questions about the ethical conduct of elected officials. The Ethics Committee’s review will shed light on the extent of the misuse and determine the appropriate course of action to address these violations. It is essential for elected representatives to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency in handling campaign funds to maintain the public’s trust in the political system.
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