The House Ethics Committee recently announced that they will be reviewing a report from the Office of Congressional Ethics that found evidence of U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt using campaign funds for personal expenses. The reports indicated that both Republican congressmen from Texas made payments to private social clubs over the course of several years. Jackson’s committee, Texans for Ronny Jackson, spent about $12,000 on expenses related to the Amarillo Club, while Hunt’s campaign committee paid over $5,400 to the Oak Room in Houston.
In response to the allegations, Hunt’s attorneys issued a statement denying that any campaign funds were used for personal purposes. They claimed that all payments to the Post Oak Hotel were strictly for campaign-related activities and not personal use. Additionally, they argued that the decision to pay for the Oak Room membership was a strategic use of campaign funds instead of renting a separate campaign office in Houston. Hunt’s spokesperson expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved in their favor soon.
The reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics highlighted that there was a “substantial reason to believe” that both congressmen had converted campaign funds for personal use. They also noted that if funds were used for purposes other than legitimate campaign activities, it could constitute a violation of House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law. However, both Jackson and Hunt were not cooperative during the investigations, with Hunt only providing limited information initially.
The OCE recommended that the House Ethics Committee issue subpoenas to compel both congressmen to provide further information and clarify the use of campaign funds. The bipartisan committee, led by Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Susan Wild, decided to review the matter based on the referrals from the OCE. Jackson, who previously served as the White House physician under Presidents Obama and Trump, had previously faced accusations of misusing campaign donations at the Amarillo Club.
The allegations of misuse of campaign funds by U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt raise serious concerns about the integrity of their actions as elected officials. While the congressmen have denied any wrongdoing, the evidence presented by the Office of Congressional Ethics suggests otherwise. It is crucial for the House Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of the matter and ensure that accountability and transparency are upheld in the handling of campaign finances. The outcome of this investigation will have implications not only for Jackson and Hunt but also for the broader public’s trust in the ethical standards of their elected representatives.