Ethics Watchdog files complaint against Nancy Mace soliciting donations on Fox
Campaign for Accountability, a liberal nonprofit ethics watchdog group, Filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics on Thursday about Republican Rep. Nancy Mace’s recent request for campaign funds during an interview with Fox Business.
Mace, one of seven House Republicans who joined Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in voting to remove Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, stood in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as she urged Fox viewers to to donate to her campaign website, which was a violation House ethics rules prohibit soliciting campaign donations at federal buildings.
The South Carolina congresswoman has been actively trying to raise money by voting to unseat McCarthy. Sending fundraising emails immediately after the now-former speaker was removed from his post on Tuesday.
Mace also shamelessly begged for donations during her time Cable News And Podcast Interviews, including an appearance Wednesday afternoon on Fox Business host Neil Cavuto’s show. (Ironically, it was only nine months ago when Mace criticized (Gaetz for fundraising in his attempt to deny McCarthy the speaker’s gavel.)
“You’re damn right I’m raising money for this right now because the establishment is after me for taking a principled stance,” Mace boasted to Cavuto. “And if your viewers would like to help, they can contact NancyMace.org.”
She then repeated this request twice more during her Fox appearance and later shared the clip on social media along with another request for donations. After several journalists and political observers pointed out that she appeared to have violated House rules, Mace later did so delete quietly her tweet.
“As you know, both federal law and House rules strictly prohibit the solicitation of campaign contributions on federal property,” Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of Campaign for Accountability, writes in the complaint. “The Federal Penal Code prohibits all federal government employees, including members of Congress, from soliciting or accepting donations related to an election “while in a room or building in which they are performing official duties.” Violators are subject to fines of up to punishable by $5,000 and up to three years in prison, or both.”
The complaint goes on to say that the House Ethics Manual also prohibits “soliciting members or staff of the House of Representatives for campaign or political contributions in or from House offices, rooms, or buildings,” noting that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was reprimanded earlier this year for actions similar to those of Mace.
“The evidence indicates that Representative Mace violated federal law and House rules by soliciting donations at the Capitol,” the complaint concludes. “If these laws and rules are to make a difference, the Office of Congressional Ethics must immediately investigate and take swift action to hold Rep. Mace accountable for her actions.”
