Group Files Ethics Complaint Against Representative Scott Perry

The complaint alleges the Pennsylvania congressman used official office resources for campaign activities.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the US Capitol dome, representing the investigation into congressional office ethics and policy. — Defend the Vote filed an ethics complaint alleging that Representative Scott Perry improperly used taxpayer-funded congressional office resources for campaign video production. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Defend the Vote filed an ethics complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct against Representative Scott Perry. The action alleges Perry improperly used congressional office space for campaign video production.

Why it matters

The filing raises concerns over the use of taxpayer-funded House resources for political purposes. If substantiated, such conduct could face a formal rebuke by the House Committee on Ethics.

Defend the Vote filed the complaint on October 26, 2026, following a series of videos posted by Representative Perry beginning in November 2025. The PAC has provided $10,000 in support of Janelle Stelson's campaign for the 10th congressional district seat.

The players

Scott Perry

He is the U.S. Representative currently serving Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district.

Defend the Vote

This is a liberal political action committee that has contributed financially to the campaign of Janelle Stelson.

Janelle Stelson

She is a candidate challenging Representative Scott Perry for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Office of Congressional Conduct

This independent body investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the House and may refer findings to the ethics committee.

House Committee on Ethics

This standing committee is responsible for administering and interpreting the Code of Official Conduct for House members.

The details

The complaint specifically challenges campaign videos filmed in a congressional office that were posted to Facebook in November 2025 and again on October 16, 2026. Perry also faces scrutiny for a 2024 social media post that featured footage from a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting.

Representative Perry posted a committee video to his campaign in 2024.
Defend the Vote began donating to Janelle Stelson in July 2025.
Perry first posted the disputed campaign video in November 2025.
The campaign video was reposted on October 16, 2026.
Defend the Vote filed the formal ethics complaint on October 26, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the complaint argue that political PACs often use ethics filings as a tool to influence voters immediately before an election. Supporters of the filing emphasize the need to maintain strict boundaries between official House business and partisan campaign activities.

This ethics complaint highlights the ongoing debate over the use of public resources in congressional campaigns. Voters in the 10th district will see this issue directly reflected in the final weeks of the current campaign cycle.

The takeaway

This filing serves as a reminder that political activity conducted within official congressional facilities remains a heavily regulated area of federal service. Voters should evaluate whether the alleged video production methods meet their expectations for representative conduct in office.