WASHINGTON - Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois says he's resigning his House seat amid questions about his spending.

In a statement on Tuesday, Schock said he would step down effective March 31.

Schock, a four-term lawmaker, said he was taking the step with a "heavy heart." He said that questions about irregularities in his campaign finance and congressional spending accounts over the past six weeks have proven to be a "great distraction" and have made it too difficult for him to serve.

A USA Today report said Schock spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on furniture and renovations to make his Congressional office look more like the set of British TV drama Downton Abbey. The Associated Press later reported Schock personally reimbursed $40,000 of those costs.