The House Ethics Committee closed multiple campaign finance investigations Monday, including investigations of four congressmen’s use of private clubs and travel, while issuing new guidance on campaign spending.
Representatives Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt of Texas, Sanford Bishop of Georgia, and Alex Mooney of West Virginia faced investigations over suspicious campaign spending.
The committee found violations of campaign finance rules — but dismissed the investigations and said the violations weren’t intentional.
“I did everything by the book and have fully complied with the committee since these false allegations were first referred by the OCE in 2021,” Jackson said.
“I am glad to put this ridiculous, partisan, and politically motivated matter behind me.”
The Office of Congressional Ethics had flagged Jackson’s spending at Amarillo Club and Hunt’s use of the Oak Room social club. Hunt’s attorneys defended the expenses, saying he used hotel space for campaign events because it was “cheaper and more appropriate than maintaining a campaign office.”
“From the outset, I have maintained confidence that this issue would be resolved in our favor,” Hunt told The Dallas Morning News.
The committee cited unclear Federal Election Commission rules while releasing new guidelines, including restrictions on country club dues.
“Yearly campaign expenditures for country club dues to maintain unlimited access to such a facility are impermissible, even if access is solely maintained to facilitate fundraising activity,” the new guidance states.