Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
      FEC Record: Advisory opinions
- ›
      AO 2023-04: Congressman may use campaign funds to pay for security film on his home windows

FEC Record: Advisory opinionsAO 2023-04: Congressman may use campaign funds to pay for security film on his home windowsJuly 18, 2023 Guy for Congress (the committee), the principal campaign committee of Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, may use campaign funds to purchase and install a special security film on the windows of his home. Because the expense arose from the Congressman’s duties as a federal officeholder, it is a permissible use of campaign funds under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and Commission regulations. Background According to the committee, individuals have verbally harassed Congressman Reschenthaler and his staff both at his private residence and district office. Congressman Reschenthaler has also received numerous threats of violence, which have been reported to Capitol Police. The committee believes that the Congressman’s appointment as Chief Deputy Whip of the House Republican Caucus is reasonably likely to make him even more of a target. The committee seeks to purchase and install a special security film on the windows of the Congressman’s home. The security film is not a permanent fixture and can generally be removed when applied correctly. Analysis The Act and Commission regulations permit a federal officeholder to use campaign funds for “ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with duties of the individual as a holder of Federal office” and for “any other lawful purpose” that does not constitute conversion of campaign funds to personal use. The Commission has previously approved the use of campaign funds to protect against threats to federal officeholders’ physical safety, on the grounds that the need for such security expenses would not exist irrespective of their duties as an officeholder. In reaching that conclusion, the Commission has considered information from the House Sergeant at Arms about the threats faced by Members of Congress collectively due to their status as federal officeholders, and the recommendation of the Capitol Police that Members of Congress install or upgrade residential security systems. Consistent with those precedents, the Commission concluded that the Committee may use campaign funds to purchase and install special security film on the windows of Congressman Reschenthaler’s home because it would be an ordinary and necessary expense incurred in connection with his duties as a federal officeholder. Date Issued: July 13, 2023; Length: 5 pages Citations Statutes 52 U.S.C. 30114(a)Permitted uses of campaign funds Regulations 11 CFR § 113.2Permissible non-campaign use of funds Resources Commission consideration of AO 2023-04Advisory opinion 2023-04
 Author
          Romy Adame-WilsonCommunications Specialist


Read next: FEC to host August 30 Candidate 101 Webinar (2023)
 Related: Explore legal resources »


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          Accessibility statement
          Strategy, budget and performance
 No FEAR Act
          Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
 FOIA
          OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail
 This information is produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms