The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating allegations against two Texas Republican congressmen, Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt, for allegedly using campaign funds to pay for membership dues at private social clubs. The committee found that Jackson’s campaign committee had paid over $6,800 in dues to The Amarillo Club, while Hunt’s campaign had paid over $5,400 to The Oak Room in Houston. Both lawmakers are being scrutinized for potential violations of ethics rules, although further investigation is required to determine if any rules were actually breached.
Attorneys for Hunt defended his actions by stating that the membership dues were used for meetings with campaign donors and consultants rather than personal use. They also cited Federal Election Commission guidelines that allow candidates to use campaign funds for memberships in organizations with political interests. Similarly, a spokeswoman for Jackson stated that the probe was based on an old complaint and that no new information had been presented, affirming that Jackson’s office had cooperated with the committee’s requests.
The Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent body responsible for reviewing allegations against members of Congress, conducted the investigations into Jackson and Hunt. However, both lawmakers refused to cooperate with the reviews. Jackson’s office criticized the OCE for wasting taxpayer dollars on baseless accusations, suggesting that the investigations were politically motivated. Jackson, who previously served as a White House physician under Presidents Obama and Trump, has faced scrutiny in the past, including allegations of professional misconduct that led to the withdrawal of his nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
In the case of Jackson, the Ethics Committee found that his campaign had been paying monthly dues to The Amarillo Club since 2021, identifying the payments as “membership for exclusive campaign purposes.” The club offers various amenities, including a gym and access to affiliated clubs nationwide, emphasizing the networking opportunities it provides to members. While the House ethics manual prohibits the use of campaign funds for personal expenses, it grants lawmakers discretion in determining what qualifies as a campaign or political expense.
Overall, the investigations into Jackson and Hunt’s alleged misuse of campaign funds highlight the importance of accountability and transparency in elected officials’ financial practices. The Ethics Committee’s ongoing review underscores the need for lawmakers to adhere to ethical standards and guidelines to uphold the public’s trust. As the investigations proceed, it remains to be seen whether any concrete evidence of ethics violations will emerge and what consequences, if any, the congressmen may face as a result of their actions.
