Senator Lindsey Graham is facing criticism over a fundraising pitch he made inside the Capitol complex.
After the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday, October 14, Graham spoke to reporters in a hallway of the Hart Senate Office Building. “I don’t know how much it affected fundraising today, but if you want to help me close the gap,” he said, before pointing supporters to his campaign website. He added that his race in South Carolina had taken on a national profile.
Critics say that broke federal law. Under 18 U.S. Code Section 607, it is unlawful for a member of Congress to ask for or receive campaign donations in a room or building used for official federal business. A conviction can carry up to three years in prison. Congressman Swalwell wrote on Twitter that Graham “committed a crime in plain sight,” and election lawyer Marc Elias said the senator might need a lawyer. The Campaign Legal Center also filed a complaint over the comments.
Graham’s campaign pushed back. Spokesman Kevin Bishop told ABC News 4 that any violation was unintentional and was not part of a pattern of behavior. No charges have been announced, and there is no word yet on any consequences.
The comments came as Graham faces a tight race against Democrat Jaime Harrison. Harrison reported raising about $57,000,000 in the third quarter, compared with about $28,000,000 for Graham, a record haul for a Senate candidate. Graham also questioned where all of that money was coming from during the Barrett hearings.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
