A family affair


Congress may prohibit lawmakers from paying their spouses for campaign work.

Under a bill passed by the House, other relatives could still be on the payroll, but candidates would have to submit a statement on how much they are paid.

A few members of North Carolina's delegation would be affected, according to an analysis of campaign records by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

The watchdog group found that Rep. Patrick McHenry pays his sister, Catherine McHenry Rains of Gastonia, about $1,200 a month to be his campaign treasurer.

Rep. Mel Watt's son, Jason, also earned money as a campaign consultant, as did Rep. Bob Etheridge's son, Brian.  (Char-O)

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