Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., announced Tuesday he will resign from Congress following weeks worth of questions about his use of taxpayer dollars.
“I do this with a heavy heart...The constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself," he added.,” Schock said in a statement.
Schock’s lavish spending first came to light in February after the fourth-term Congressman redecorated his Capitol Hill office in the style of the hit television show “Downton Abbey.” That opened the floodgates as members of the media began investigating a number of other outlandish purchases that may have been made using taxpayer or campaigns funds.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that the Office of Congressional Ethics had begun reviewing Schock’s spending habits. The office redecoration brought to light the congressman’s use of private planes, tickets to concert and sporting events, and trips that may have been inappropriately financed with taxpayer dollars.
Schock, 33, will step down at the end of the month. His resignation was first reported by Politico.
"With this decision, Rep. Schock has put the best interests of his constituents and the House first,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement. “I appreciate Aaron's years of service, and I wish him well in the future."
NBC's Kelly O'Donnell contributed to this report.
