CREW statement on the resignation of Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL)
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced his resignation from Congress today, following weeks of intense scrutiny into his use of taxpayer and campaign funds. In the past month, CREW has filed three complaints against Rep. Schock with the Office of Congressional Ethics and one with the Federal Election Commission, driving media coverage around the country that uncovered new details of his misconduct and culminated in today’s announcement.
In response to Rep. Schock’s resignation, CREW Interim Executive Director Anne Weismann issued the following statement:
“Given that Rep. Schock couldn’t say just last week whether or not he had broken the law, his resignation was probably inevitable. Indeed, for all the revelations about his finances that have already emerged, his decision suggests that even greater scandals have yet to be discovered.
“That is why it is imperative that an investigation into Rep. Schock’s conduct continue. Although the Office of Congressional Ethics loses jurisdiction once he leaves the House, CREW has also filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, which can and must continue its investigation. Today’s revelations about Rep. Schock’s mileage reimbursements indicate the need for a criminal investigation as well.
“The public deserves to know the full extent of all laws and rules that Rep. Schock may have broken during his time in office and how he was able to avoid accountability for so long. It would do a great disservice to the public for the search for the truth to end simply because Rep. Schock’s political career has.”