The U.S. House Ethics Committee is ordering Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to re-pay her campaign more than $10,000.
The committee says Tlaib violated federal rules in 2018 by using the money to cover her salary.
The Federal Elections Commission allows first-time candidates to pay themselves a salary out of their campaign cash.
It’s intended to help people run for office even if they have to reduce their work hours.
That’s what Tlaib did in her initial bid for Congress in 2018 – actually taking less per month than the official limit.
But the House Ethics Committee says she took a lump sum after she was elected, which violates the provision that someone must be a candidate to be eligible for the money.
The committee adds that Tlaib did not try to “unjustly enrich herself,” and considered the money back pay she deferred for fear her campaign would run out of cash and she could face political attacks for taking a salary.
Spokespeople for Tlaib say they are pleased the issue is resolved but add they hope the FEC will clarify what the campaign calls a “well-intended rule.”
