Newly released financial records reveal that Rep. Cori Bush’s campaign allocated thousands of dollars to her new husband, Cortney Merritts, for private security services between January and the end of March.

The Missouri Democrat’s committee transferred $12,500 to Merritts, while an additional $26,000 went to St. Louis-based PEACE Security, a company employing several “security operators” with military or law enforcement backgrounds, despite her opposition to such professionals.

Rep. Bush, a ‘Squad‘ member, has been among the top spenders in Congress on private security, claiming she requires protection due to attempts on her life.

Since 2019, her campaign has spent over half a million dollars on personal security, primarily with PEACE Security.

Bush and Merritts married in February 2022.

Their relationship began before she took office in 2021, and her campaign added him to its payroll in January 2022.

In 2021, Merritts received $50,000 from her committee while it simultaneously paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to a private security firm.

As of late February, Merritts did not possess a private security license, according to Fox News Digital.

In St. Louis and neighboring St. Louis County, encompassing Bush’s entire congressional district, individuals must have a permit to perform security functions.

Merritts was also absent from a Washington, D.C. database of licensed security professionals.

Bush’s campaign has not responded to previous emails regarding the matter.

Bush’s security payments sparked controversy after Fox News Digital initially reported on them in July 2021.

CBS News questioned the appropriateness of her security spending, given her advocacy for defunding the police.

In response, Bush asked, “They would rather I die? You would rather me die? Is that what you want to see? You want to see me die? You know, because that could be the alternative.”

The progressive lawmaker stated that she would ensure her own security because of threats to her life and her ongoing work. She added, “So suck it up, and defunding the police has to happen.”

RELATED: Squad Member Cori Bush Hit with Second FEC Complaint Over Campaign Security Payments to Her Husband

St. Louis’ KMOV4 subsequently discovered that Bush had employed two sheriff’s deputies, Tylance Jackson and Maurice Thompson, as part of her security detail.

Their involvement led to their termination, as they had not received approval for the side job, according to St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts.

Bush’s campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on the recent payments to her husband.