Federal lawmakers and political committees have diverted millions of dollars of campaign contributions this year to cover the cost of security, with campaigns of political lightning rods such as Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reporting five- and six-figure security bills last quarter alone.
Even a couple of ex-lawmakers, including former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, are using leftover campaign funds to cover security costs — something the Federal Election Commission recently authorized so “a federal candidate or officeholder or their family and staff” can address “ongoing dangers or threats” that would not exist but for their status as a candidate or officeholder.
Since the updated FEC rule went into effect on Jan. 1, federal candidates and committees have spent at least $9.9 million on security expenses, according to a NOTUS analysis of federal campaign finance data.