Associated Press: Businesses tied to Oklahoma congressmen enjoy federal loans

07.6.2020 / By SEAN MURPHY
Associated Press: Businesses tied to Oklahoma congressmen enjoy federal loans

While voting on legislation for which their companies may benefit may not be illegal, it does appear to be a conflict of interest, said Aaron Scherb, a spokesman for Common Cause, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan government watchdog. “Unfortunately, members of Congress frequently vote on bills in which they can personally benefit, and in nearly all cases it’s not illegal, although it certainly looks bad and smells bad,” Scherb said. “We think it certainly should be illegal.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Family businesses of two Oklahoma congressmen received at least $1.8 million from a federal rescue program meant to keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Four businesses owned by Republican U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin received a total of between $800,000 and $1.9 million from the Paycheck Protection Program, including Broken Arrow-based Mullin Plumbing, Inc., Mullin Environmental, Inc., Mullin Services, Inc., and Moore-based Mullin Plumbing West Division, according to the data. Those companies reported retaining 140 jobs due in part to the loans, the data shows. …

While voting on legislation for which their companies may benefit may not be illegal, it does appear to be a conflict of interest, said Aaron Scherb, a spokesman for Common Cause, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan government watchdog.

“Unfortunately, members of Congress frequently vote on bills in which they can personally benefit, and in nearly all cases it’s not illegal, although it certainly looks bad and smells bad,” Scherb said. “We think it certainly should be illegal.”

See More: Congressional EthicsCOVID-19Ethics & Accountability