GOP lawmakers press Air Force on leak of congressional candidate's personnel files

Republican lawmakers want answers from the Air Force after a Politico reporter published details of a Republican congressional candidate's personnel files.

Lt. Col. Jennifer Ruth-Green (ret.) is seeking election to the House of Representatives as a Republican. A recent Politico profile on her revealed that she is a survivor of sexual assault.

The National Archives and Records Administration indicates that the public may only obtain access to basic information from those personnel files, including name, rank, service number, assignment details, etcetera. The release of other information may require the consent of the veteran or their next-of-kin, if deceased.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel R. Hokanson, and Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough a pair of Republican lawmakers have encouraged military authorities to pursue an investigation into the leak of Ruth-Green's personnel information.

"Lt Col Green’s official personnel records, including an account of a sexual assault, were leaked as an apparent attack against her congressional campaign," wrote Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks and Maryland Republican Rep. Larry Buschon on Friday. "It is illegal for personnel records to be leaked, and we are concerned that the military has allowed a personal attack on a service member for political aims."

"It is critically important that service members trust that their personnel records will not be used against them in political attacks," the pair continued. "A politicized military cannot uphold the trust of our service members and would discourage our warfighters – current and retired – from running for public office."

An Air Force spokesperson told Fox News it could not confirm that the service had released Ruth-Green's information until a Freedom of Information Act request.

"We cannot confirm any documents on this individual were released by the Department of the Air Force under the Freedom of Information Act... In general, any release of information that, if disclosed, would invade another individual's personal privacy would be reviewed under Exemption FOIA 5U.S.C. §552 (b)(6) with redactions made to ensure compliance with the law. Each document would be reviewed on a case by case basis," the spokesperson said.