Rep. Mike Collins’ top aide, who is the subject of a sprawling House Ethics Committee review, received more than $170,000 in office reimbursements from the lawmaker’s official House account, according to records reviewed by NOTUS.
Brandon Phillips, who at one point served as Collins’ chief of staff but as of January 2026 holds the title “senior policy adviser,” received over $178,000 in office reimbursements between 2023 and 2025, according to the records. Most of the reimbursements were for franking — a privilege granted to members of Congress that allows them to use congressional funds to tout their accomplishments in office. The money can be spent on mail, television ads, digital ads and more.
While chiefs of staff are permitted to use personal cards to pay for franking material and then get reimbursed, the reimbursements come at a time when Phillips is under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee, which is reviewing his office conduct. An Office of Congressional Conduct report raised questions about his extensive use of reimbursements and alleged he potentially put his girlfriend on the payroll. The House Ethics Committee is also reviewing spending allegations against Collins.