Child Care OKd as Campaign Expense
WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission granted a lawmaker permission Thursday to pay a baby sitter with campaign funds when his wife attends campaign events.
But a commission spokesman stressed the ruling was limited to a particular case, and that it shouldn’t be interpreted too broadly by other candidates.
“They shouldn’t assume that this is a blanket policy that covers all child-care expenses,” spokesman Ron Harris said.
The advisory opinion was issued in response to a request by Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), who asked last November whether a baby sitter’s fee could be considered a legitimate campaign expense when his wife, Johnette, was stumping with him.
Such personal uses of campaign funds are determined on a case-by-case basis, Harris said.
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