Even though the General Assembly isn’t in session this summer the Republican controlled House of Representatives finds itself in turmoil following a recent federal court ruling which may have un-intentionally blown a hole in the state ethics act. Since the 2022 election, a group of about twenty ultra-conservative Republican lawmakers has become a growing thorn in the side of the body’s leadership. They’ve left the main G-O-P caucus, and have formed their own South Carolina Freedom Caucus.
In 2006, the legislature passed an ethics law that governs campaign fund-raising, spending and reporting for members, and the four major House Caucuses; Republican, Democratic, Black and Women’s caucuses. The law also specifically prohibits other “special interest” caucuses from raising money, hiring staff, or getting involved in political campaigns. In February the Freedom Caucus sued the House Ethics Committee in federal court claiming it should be entitled to operate in the same way as the major caucuses.
Last week U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie agreed with the Freedom Caucus issuing a declaratory judgement that said all of the House caucuses should be afforded the same rights and privileges. By overturning the ethics law, some fear her ruling has opened the door so caucuses can be created willy-nilly, and possibly leading to an influx of so-called dark money contributions.
"The ramifications and implications of where we stand I think are still murky, but it is clear they are significant," said Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence, Chairman of the House Ethics Committee.
Rep. R. J. May, R-Lexington however said following a meeting of the Ethics Committee this week that the Freedom Caucus didn't ask to be treated any differently. "We simply asked to be put on a same footing and that's exactly what the judge did," he said.
