The successful 2006 re-election campaign of Rep. Christopher Shays (R- 4th District) is drawing the attention of a government committee investigating the White House.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel and the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee are looking into whether the White House violated laws in supporting Republican candidates in the last election.

Of interest to the committee is whether White House officials pressured the government to send more grants to Connecticut to create favorable re-election conditions for Republican candidates.

Shays told Connecticut institutions like Norwalk?s Naramake Elementary School they were receiving federal grants because of his ability as a congressman, not because of partisan politics.

The chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, Nancy DiNardo, says the allegations raise important questions. "I find it upsetting that the government would have sent cabinet members up on the federal dime to stump for Shays...Congressman Shays will have a lot of explaining to do to the residents of Connecticut if in fact all of this is true," she said.

Shays said the Congressional investigation of the White House is an example of partisan politics and will likely backfire on the Democrats.

To see Congressman Shays brief the media on Iraq and the allegations he misused funds, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.