CLC Files Complaint Against Sen. Graham for Illegal Campaign Solicitation

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Lindsey Graham wearing a mask and gesturing while speaking to a densely packed group of reporters
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to the press during a break in the third day of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings considering the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to become Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2020. CLC filed a complaint against Graham for soliciting campaign contributions while in a federal building. Credit: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Alamy Live News

The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a complaint against Sen. Lindsey Graham for solicitating campaign donations while in a Senate building Wednesday evening.

Sen. Graham’s actions violated not only federal laws, but Senate ethics rules by asking for campaign contributions while in a federal building. The Senate Ethics Committee should conduct an immediate investigation into the Senator’s highly publicized actions.

If the committee fails to hold him accountable, it will establish a dangerous precedent, one that will shake the public’s confidence in the integrity of democratic institutions. 

In the halls of Congress, elected officials should abide by all ethics laws and rules and not campaign for reelection. We trust our government to uphold the principles of public service, and when that trust is broken and not quickly repaired, the damage that is caused may become irreversible. Ethics enforcement is necessary to ensure a strong democracy.

CLC encourages all levels of government to enact and enforce clear ethical guidelines and laws, holding elected officials accountable for ethics violations.

Tracy handles media relations for the CLC campaign finance and ethics teams and creates online content.