This congressman spent $600 in campaign funds to fly his pet rabbit around
![Duncan Hunter.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EBkbshMYxtVFUJVmpdGEUD-1024-80.jpg)
Not even rabbits are exempt from steep airline fees, it seems. An ongoing review of Rep. Duncan Hunter's (R) spending has revealed the California congressman spent nearly $600 in campaign money to fund his pet rabbit's air travel, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported late Tuesday.
While the House Office of Congressional Ethics in its ongoing investigation noted the expenditure as an example of Hunter's personal use of campaign funds, which federal law prohibits, his spokesman insisted the hundreds of dollars spent "in cabin rabbit transport fees" was just a big misunderstanding. "Since travel is often done on (airline) miles — which is entirely permissible — the credit card connected to the account was charged several times even when his children were flying," Joe Kasper said, calling the incident "nothing more than an oversight."
This isn't the only apparent "oversight" Hunter has made, however. The congressman has "reimbursed more than $6,000 to United Airlines for personal or undocumented uses of campaign funds," The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Other reimbursements for expenses including "oral surgery, a garage door, video games, resort stays, and a jewelry purchase in Italy" have totaled nearly $62,000.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 meritorious cartoons about the war on DEI
Cartoons Artists take on self-evident truths, recent history, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Bucatini alla zozzona recipe
The Week Recommends Classic Roman dish is 'slurpy, fun and absolutely heavenly'
By The Week UK Published
-
The UK 'spy cops' scandal, explained
The Explainer Undercover police targeting activist groups conducted intrusive surveillance, with some even embarking on relationships under assumed identities
By The Week UK Published
-
Federal judges block Trump citizenship order
Speed Read A second judge has blocked the president's order to end citizenship for children born on American soil to parents without legal status
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
DOGE official at Treasury resigns after racist posts
Speed Read Marko Elez's ability to access the Treasury's central government payment system has been rescinded
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Trump orders ban on trans female athletes
speed read The order directs the federal government to withhold funding from schools that do not comply
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE gains access to Medicare, eyes FAA
speed read The billionaire said his Department of Government Efficiency will make 'rapid safety upgrades' to our air traffic control systems
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump: US 'will take over' Gaza, without Palestinians
Speed Read President Trump has suggested the US take ownership of Gaza, permanently displacing more than two million Palestinian residents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Democrats try to stop Trump's USAID closure
Speed Read Trump and Elon Musk are attempting to dismantle the US Agency for International Development, a move congressional Democrats say is illegal
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China rattle markets
Speed read The tariffs on America's top three trading partners are expected to raise the prices of everything from gas and cars to tomatoes and tequila
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published