The Department of Energy has defended Energy Secretary Rick Perry Rick PerryEnergy secretary questions consensus that humans cause climate change OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project MORE's use of tens of thousands of dollars in campaign money to fly his wife, Anita Perry, around the world with him on official government travel.

Department of Energy spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes told the San Antonio Express-News that all of Anita Perry's travel has been reviewed and cleared by an ethics official.

ADVERTISEMENT

The former Texas governor used his Texas campaign account, Texans for Rick Perry, to pay for his wife's trips to places including London, Paris, Vienna and Rome, according to the newspaper.

Hynes told the Express-News in a statement that "no taxpayer dollars" have been used to fund Anita Perry's travel.

“Mrs. Perry has traveled with Secretary Perry on occasion, adding valuable support to him as he advances DOE’s mission abroad,” Hynes said. “As these filings confirm, no taxpayer dollars have been spent on Mrs. Perry’s air travel and funding for it is authorized under state and federal laws and regulations. The Department of Energy follows federal travel regulations without exception.”

The newspaper also noted that according to Texas campaign laws, using campaign funds to pay for the trips is legal.