Representative Nancy Mace’s use of a reimbursement program for lodging and other expenses in Washington is under review by the House Ethics Committee, as confirmed by a committee member familiar with the initial inquiry.
Following a complaint, lawmakers are investigating whether Ms. Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, may have overcharged the program for expenses related to her Washington townhouse, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars. The full committee will review the details of the complaint in the upcoming days, as shared by a lawmaker familiar with the preliminary inquiry on the condition of anonymity.
As of now, the committee has not authorized an official investigation.
A recent change in House rules allows members to seek reimbursement for lodging and food costs while on official business in Washington, up to $34,000 annually. While receipts are not mandatory for reimbursement, it is strongly advised that lawmakers keep them for their records.
According to the Committee on House Administration’s latest report, Ms. Mace received over $23,000 in lodging reimbursements in 2023. Documents obtained by The New York Times revealed that this amount included expenses for insurance, taxes, and other monthly bills associated with her townhouse. Lawmakers who own homes in the Washington area, like Ms. Mace, are not eligible for reimbursement for mortgage payments.
Under the reimbursement program, lawmakers can only request reimbursement for their share of housing costs incurred in Washington. However, based on the deed of her home and information from a source familiar with Ms. Mace’s personal expenses, it appears she co-owns the home with her former fiancé, making her ineligible to seek full repayment for the shared residence.
Discrepancies in her filings were initially reported by The Washington Post, highlighting that Ms. Mace, along with several other lawmakers, received reimbursements close to the program’s maximum limit.
Ms. Mace’s office has not provided any comments on the matter.
The increased scrutiny on Ms. Mace’s spending reports coincides with tensions between her and former staff members who recently resigned. Daniel Hanlon, her former chief of staff until December of the previous year, launched a primary campaign against her but later withdrew in March.
Ms. Mace is now facing Catherine Templeton, a former gubernatorial candidate who served under Nikki Haley’s administration. Ms. Templeton has the support of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has been actively working to unseat Republicans, including Ms. Mace, who opposed him. The upcoming primary election will serve as a test for Mr. McCarthy’s efforts.
Majority Committee PAC, controlled by Mr. McCarthy, made a $10,000 contribution to Ms. Templeton’s campaign in April. Several groups closely affiliated with the former speaker have also contributed to the campaign against Ms. Mace.
During her recent stops in Hilton Head and Beaufort, Ms. Mace did not address the reports of misuse. Instead, she focused on economic issues, border security, and highlighted the endorsement she received from former President Donald J. Trump in March, who referred to her as a “strong conservative voice.”
Annie Karni contributed to this report.
