Rep. Cori Bush is under investigation after hiring husband as security
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., confirmed that the Department of Justice is investigating her campaign's spending on security services.
Bush cited threats to her physical safety and life as reasons for using campaign funds for security.
She asserts full cooperation with the investigation, while the Justice Department declined to comment.
Bush retained her now-husband as part of her security team, claiming his services are at or below-market rate.
Congressional ethics rules allow family members to be paid from campaign funds for bona fide services within fair market value.
The Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics are also reviewing the matter.
The Office of Congressional Ethics found no evidence of wrongdoing in a previous investigation and unanimously dismissed the case.
The investigation was revealed when the House clerk informed lawmakers of a subpoena received by the House Sergeant at Arms.
Security concerns have escalated after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, with a significant increase in threats against lawmakers, exemplified by an attack on Paul Pelosi in 2022.