Complaint charges Price used campaign funds to promote Trump appointment

A non-partisan campaign watchdog group is accusing President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price of misusing congressional campaign money to push for his cabinet confirmation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint Friday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that pointed to a $40,000 payment in January made by the former Georgia congressman’s campaign team to America Rising, a Republican consulting firm.

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The complaint points to videos urging senators to vote to confirm Price that were released around the same date as the payment. 

Price’s actions may have violated a campaign finance law that bans members of congress from using campaign funds for personal benefit. Such a ruling would need to investigate whether Price’s payment to America Rising was tied to materials asking senators to vote for his confirmation, and whether any exclusions apply.

Price was confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 10.