By Editorial Staff, San Jose Mercury News, August 3, 2007

3 Aug 2007 // The family that campaigns together gains together: At least 64 members of Congress used campaign funds to pay family members in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 elections, according to a study by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

The biggest spender, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, paid nearly $350,000 to her husband’s companies for event management, fundraising, accounting, regulatory compliance, rent and office services.

That’s perfectly legal. But it shouldn’t be.

Congress members aren’t allowed to use campaign funds to pay the household bills. It makes no sense to let them use campaign funds to pay a spouse who helps pay the bills.

Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, and Mike Castle, a Delaware Republican, have introduced a bill to change that.

Congress should pass it.