UPDATED: GOP Wants Explanation From Colbert Busch

UPDATED: 3:15 p.m. Friday

Clemson University (Colbert Busch's employer) responded to this story by sending an email to Patch via John Gouch, Assistant Director of Media Relations, which said:

"(Elizabeth Colbert Busch) is on a leave of absence, which began Jan. 21. She immediately entered a period of annual leave, to which she was entitled. That leave period ended March 26. In other words, she used all her paid leave (vacation time). From March 27 she has not receive payment from Clemson University. Furthermore, she pays hers and the university's portion of her health insurance."

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The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is calling on Elizabeth Colbert Busch to explain the nature of her absence from her job with the University of Clemson.

In an email to supporters on Thursday, the NRCC noted inconsistencies in Colbert Busch's explanation about her absence. The email says she told the Associated Press she was on leave, but she told Patch she was on vacation. The email links to Colbert Busch's Personal Financial Disclosure form and asks: 

1. When did Colbert Busch start her vacation leave from Clemson?
2. How much money did Colbert Busch make from Clemson while campaigning for Congress?
3. Why did Colbert Busch try to deceive voters about her work status?
4. Does Colbert Busch think it was appropriate to collect her taxpayer funded salary while not showing up for work?

Katie Prill, spokesperson for the NRCC said, “Elizabeth Colbert Busch has shown a complete disregard for South Carolinians’ hard earned money by campaigning on the taxpayers’ dime. After misleading voters for over two months about her work status – it’s time Colbert Busch is held accountable and explains why taxpayers are footing the bill for her political aspirations.”

"These are questions that need to be answered," Prill told Patch.

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