FEC Probe Highlights Childcare Funding Rules and Freedom Standards

Liberty Check

• Federal law bars personal use of campaign funds for expenses that would exist without campaign duties.
• Swalwell allegedly billed over $57,000 in 2025, including payments for full-time nanny and year-round daycare.
• The FEC previously issued guidance requiring childcare charges to tie directly to campaign-related events.

California Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing a Federal Election Commission investigation over allegations that he billed his campaign for personal nanny expenses.

The complaint suggests a pattern of year-round childcare charges that may violate federal campaign finance regulations.

Investigative journalist Joel Gilbert filed the complaint, noting that campaign funds should only cover childcare during specific campaign activities.

Records indicate Swalwell may have charged over $300,000 for these services between 2021 and 2025.

It looks like Swalwell was likely violating FEC rules on childcare, Gilbert stated regarding the frequency of the charges.

The FEC issued a ruling very specifically and said… you can only charge your childcare to the campaign if it’s specifically related to a campaign event, Gilbert added.

Taxpayers and donors must have confidence that political funds are not being used as a private piggy bank for household staffing. Protecting the integrity of our electoral process requires strict adherence to the rule of law and accountability for those in power.

Americans deserve better.