OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
On December 23, 2013, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
Nature of Review
From 2010 to 2012, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers allegedly used official resources, including staff, for campaign activities; paid a consultant for official services with funds from political committees; and combined official resources and campaign resources in furtherance of a campaign for a House leadership office.
If Representative McMorris Rodgers used official resources for campaign activities, she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.
If Representative McMorris Rodgers used funds from political committees to pay for official expenses, she may have violated House rules and federal law.
If Representative McMorris Rodgers improperly combined official resources and campaign resources for particular activities in furtherance of a campaign for a House leadership office, she may have violated House standards of conduct.
OCE Recommendation
The Board of the OCE recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegations concerning use of official resources for campaign activities because there is substantial reason to believe that Representative McMorris Rodgers used congressional funds, staff, and office space for campaign activities.
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation concerning use of political committee funds to pay for official expenses because there is substantial reason to believe that Representative McMorris Rodgers used a campaign consultant to perform official duties.
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation concerning the campaign for a House leadership office because there is substantial reason to believe that Representative McMorris Rodgers improperly combined congressional resources and campaign resources to produce a mailing and video for her leadership race.
Committee Conclusion
On March 24, 2014, the Committee on Ethics released a statement indicating it would continue to gather information necessary to complete its review. The Committee published the OCE report and finding and announced the allegations would be further reviewed pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a).
On December 19, 2019, the Committee on Ethics released a report concluding Representative McMorris Rodgers violated House rules, laws, and regulations relating to the use of official and unofficial resources. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the Committee decided to reprove Representative McMorris Rodgers for her misconduct in this matter. Representative McMorris Rodgers must reimburse the U.S. Treasury in the amount of $7,575.95 for the misuse of official resources.
Additionally, the Committee encourages all Members to evaluate the safeguards they have in place to discourage the misuse of official and unofficial resources by their congressional staff.