Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner had only been a member of Congress for two months when he died unexpectedly in March. In the weeks that followed, the Texas lawmaker’s congressional campaign committee reported spending thousands of dollars in surplus campaign funds on expenses related to Turner’s funeral, including on airline tickets, an upscale hotel stay and security services.
After Rep. Donald M. Payne Sr. died in 2012 after representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District for 23 years, the late Democrat’s congressional campaign reported spending more than $8,500 on an air ambulance service for his medical transport.
And after Florida Democrat Alcee Hastings died in 2021, his congressional campaign reported dispensing more than $29,000 in campaign funds to his stepdaughter and widow.