New Lisbon, WI — Ginger Murray, attorney and Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, is calling on Congress to end the use of taxpayer dollars to quietly pay for political misconduct and reward political allies.

Since 1995, more than $17 million in taxpayer money has reportedly been used to settle congressional sexual harassment and misconduct claims.

“Taxpayers should never pay for politicians’ misconduct,” said Murray. “It is time to clean up the cover ups. They don’t protect victims, they protect predators.”

Murray also criticized the newly announced DOJ “commission” tied to $1.8 billion in taxpayer funds for President Trump’s political allies and convicted felons.

“Using $1.8 billion of our tax money to reward anyone that assaulted a police officer, incited or engaged in the insurrection, or committed a crime is not a settlement, it’s a shakedown,” Murray said.

Murray said both issues reflect the same problem: powerful people using public money to avoid accountability while working families struggle.

“Congress can’t seem to find funds needed to keep the lights on at our rural hospitals or pay promised funds to our public schools, but it can quietly cut checks to cover up misconduct by its own members?” Murray said. “Wisconsin families work too hard and pay too much in taxes for this political corruption and cover ups.”

As a member of Congress, Murray says she will support legislation requiring full disclosure of misconduct settlements, personal financial liability for intentional misconduct, and stronger oversight of claims paid with taxpayer funds.