Former Texas Representative Blake Farenthold was captured on camera heading into the Capitol, and his former Republican colleagues in the House took to Twitter to express how they felt about it.
Washington Post reporter Paul Kane tweeted a photo of Farenthold, who is now a government lobbyist for the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort, near the Capitol:
They never leave. Part 9,567:
Blake Fahrenthold heading into the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/yb5usLtu9f— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) July 26, 2018
As South Carolina Post and Courier reporter Jamie Lovegrove noticed, at least two of Farenthold’s former House Republican colleagues then quote-tweeted Kane.
This is exactly why I introduced the SCRAP Act. My bill would prevent former members of Congress from accessing the Capitol and the halls of Congress that the public cannot.
I suspect this former congressman was not taking a tour of the Capitol. #DrainTheSwamp https://t.co/QbtNjb10tV
— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) July 26, 2018
Dropping off his $84,000 check? I hope someone is there to collect it! https://t.co/PbNMKSboSC
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) July 26, 2018
Walker’s tweet refers to the $84,000 in taxpayer funds that Farenthold used to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit; the settlement became public knowledge last December, and the House Ethics Committee later began an investigation into Farenthold regarding allegations of inappropriate office conduct.
Farenthold abruptly resigned in April of this year, reportedly days before the ethics committee planned to release its investigation findings.
Because Farenthold resigned, the ethics committee no longer has any power over him, and it appears as though — despite promising for months that he intended to personally reimburse the taxpayer funds — Farenthold has no plans to do so, and his new role in public service does not require him to do so.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent those of any other individual or entity. Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmquinlan.
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