House Republican Under House Ethics Investigation Over Campaign Finances

The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) over campaign finance. The panel announced the probe on Tuesday, revealing that Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) made a decision with ranking member Susan Wild (D-PA) to look into the case, which was transferred to the committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics in December.

According to the House Ethics Committee, “the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.”

The panel also revealed that “its course of action in this matter” will be revealed by May 10.

Nehls, who revealed the focus of the investigation, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his campaign “has complied with every Federal Election Commission (FEC) law.”

Nehls represents the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, which covers part of Fort Bend, Wharton, Harris, Brazoria and Matagorda counties.

The Republican made waves last year with his push to make former President Donald Trump the next House speaker after former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed from the job.

“I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House,” he said in a post to X after McCarthy’s removal.

Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker.

I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House.

— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) October 3, 2023

In a statement obtained by The Hill, he said, “This week, when the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes, my first order of business will be to nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. President Trump, the greatest President of my lifetime, has a proven record of putting America First and will make the House great again.”

The House would eventually elect Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as the speaker,allowing Trump focus on his 2024 presidential campaign.

Nehls is not the only House Republican under the microscope of the House Ethics Committee. The panel is also looking into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) over allegations of misconduct. In January, the committee expanded its investigation into the lawmaker from lobbying violations to the misconduct probe.