WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Rep Paul Ryan is asking the Federal Election Commission for permission to buy his own book with campaign funds.
The Republican congressman from Wisconsin and his sponsored PAC, Prosperity Action, filed the request for an advisory opinion with the FEC on Monday. Ryan was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2012.
In August, around the same time as the Wisconsin primary, Ryan's publisher, Grand Central Publishing, will release "The Way Forward," a book authored by Ryan delving into the state of the conservative movement in America.
Ryan's campaign wishes to use campaign and PAC funds to purchase copies of the book from the publisher in bulk and distribute the work to supporters and contributors, according to the congressman's request.
Ryan for Congress and Prosperity Action also plan to advertise and market the sale of the book through social media.
The parties are seeking approval from the FEC on whether their planned acts are permissible.
As of May 31, Prosperity Action has raised $1.8 million in 2014, spent more than $2.3 million and has nearly $375,000 cash on hand, according to opensecrets.org.
Throughout the 2013-2014 campaign cycle, Ryan has raised more than $5.3 million and has more than $4 million remaining in his war chest, according to his last campaign finance report from March 31.
Ryan will face Jeremy Ryan in the Aug. 12 primary.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
Paul Ryan asks FEC for permission to buy his own book
