A government watchdog report that claims two-thirds of Texas congressional lawmakers used their positions to enrich themselves or family drew a strong retort from both Democrats and Republicans.

The report, “Family Affair,” by the Citizens for Responsibility in Ethics in Washington states that no laws or ethics codes were broken, but shows by lawmakers despite continued low national opinion ratings for Congress.

“This report shows lawmakers still haven’t learned it is wrong to trade on their positions as elected leaders to benefit themselves or their families,” said Melanie Sloan, CREW executive director.

The report lists 21 of the 32 Texas congressional lawmakers with questionable dealings.

South Texas lawmakers named in the report include: Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio; Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo; Rep. Francisco Canseco, R-San Antonio; Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes; and Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi.

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio, who is not seeking re-election, is the only South Texas lawmaker not named in the report.

Farenthold called the report “an attack on incumbent members of Congress.”

“In tough economic times, everybody is looking for someone to blame, and Congress is a good target,” Farenthold said.

The report said Farenthold was reimbursed for credit card charges, and that his daughter received $279 for catering.

Farenthold said he used a personal credit card for purchases, not a campaign credit card, and that his daughter was reimbursed for food she bought for an event on a debit card.

“To imply that me and my family were enriched by the campaign is simply not true,” Farenthold said.

Other lawmakers also complained of the report’s conclusions, that 248 of the 435 House members benefitted from their position.

For instance, the report found that Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, a presidential candidate in 2008 and 2010, paid more than $400,000 in salaries in reimbursements to family members.

The Paul campaign claims the expenditures were legitimate.

Other Texas lawmakers also responded tersely.

Smith was singled out for accepting more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from his leadership political action committee since 2008.

“Federal Election Commission guidelines allow members of Congress to pay for campaign expenses, which are then reimbursed by the campaign,” Smith said through a spokeswoman. “These reimbursements are totally in compliance with FEC requirements.”

Cuellar, a House Democratic leader, received interest on a loan to his campaign, reimbursed his wife for travel from campaign funds, and sought a $250,000 forensic lab for Webb County where his brother is sheriff.

Cuellar dismissed the accusations about his financial dealings.

“It’s all above board and reasonable and according to law,” Cuellar said.

The report comes in an election year, where Americans are critical of Congress.

A recent Gallup Poll found only 12 percent of people surveyed approve of the job Congress is doing, up slightly from 10 percent in February, the all time low for Congress in Gallup records.

Several lawmakers listed face stiff primary or general election battles this year.

Hinojosa has four Democratic opponents in the May 29 primary. He was listed in the report for paying family members to work on his campaign.

“I believe it is only fair to pay people, whether they are family members or friends, for their hard work and time,” Hinojosa said.

Canseco is unopposed in the GOP primary but will face general election opposition. A potential Democratic rival seized on the report.

Canseco, the report said, charged his campaign interest on loans, even though the campaign has not made an interest payment on the loans. The campaign also paid fees to Hondo National Bank where Canseco was once a director.

Canseco campaign spokesman Scott Yeldell said the CREW report exonerates Canseco, because it notes that no interest payments were made.

Yeldell also questioned the alleged lapse for paying bank fees, because every bank charges fees. “We didn’t want to pay bank fees.”

But Lonny Paris, campaign manager for congressional hopeful state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, said: “Charging interest on his campaign loans is wrong.”

“We need a representative in Washington who is going to put the public ahead of the special interests,” Paris said.

Yeldell said there is “no truth” to ethical claims against Canseco.

“He has done absolutely nothing to benefit himself or anyone,” Yeldell said.