Ethics Committee Concludes Probes, Plans New Campaign Finance Guidance

The Congressional Ethics Committee has ended investigations into representatives accused of misusing campaign funds.

At a Glance

The U.S. House Ethics Committee cleared Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt of wrongdoing.
Investigations began due to potential violations suggested by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The committee found no intentional misuse, though evidence of non-compliance was discovered.
Guidance on campaign fund use will be clarified, prohibiting expenditures like country club dues.

Outcome of the Ethics Committee Investigations

The U.S. House Ethics Committee has cleared Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt of any wrongdoing related to allegations of misusing campaign funds. The investigations were initiated in May after reports indicated potential federal election rule violations. The committee concluded there was no intentional misuse of campaign funds by any of the representatives involved.

The committee acknowledged ambiguities in Federal Election Commission guidance, which had led to widespread abuses. New guidelines have been issued to clarify permissible campaign expenditures. For example, yearly campaign expenditures on country club dues are now prohibited, even if used for fundraising activities.

The House Ethics Committee has closed investigations into several members of Congress regarding the use of campaign funds for personal benefit. Two of them are Texas lawmakers. https://t.co/NzuW6PhsnY

— Spectrum News 1 Texas (@SpectrumNews1TX) January 1, 2025

Details of Individual Investigations

The investigation into Rep. Ronny Jackson focused on campaign spending at a private dining club, but Jackson maintained his spending was aligned with campaign activities. “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 stated.

Jackson’s campaign spent nearly $12,000 on his club membership, which was ultimately deemed compliant after the investigation. The case of Rep. Wesley Hunt revolved around spending at a private social club, which he defended as campaign-related expenses. Hunt remained optimistic throughout the inquiry, stating, “From the outset, I have maintained confidence that this issue would be resolved in our favor.”

Other Representatives Involved

Besides Jackson and Hunt, investigations also involved Reps. Sanford Bishop and Alexander Mooney. Bishop faced scrutiny for spending over $90,000 on personal expenses, including a $368,000 country club membership. Mooney was investigated following a trip to Aruba, paid for by HSP Direct, but he denied any improprieties.

The committee recognized the need for updated guidance on the personal use of campaign funds, citing previous unclear directions as a factor in widespread issues. The Ethics Committee plans to release updated guidance outlining permissible expenditures, emphasizing the importance of compliance with federal election laws.