Ethics

Here is Congressman Issa's Letter to the Attorney General:

Download Issa Letter

The Administration probably should provide the information needed to clarify what happened, but the bribery statute citied by Congressman Issa is, for reasons explained in my previous post, difficult to envision applying to this situation. 

The more difficult cases arise when a Member of Congress is offered an Administration appointment and then, even if he accepts the appointment, is in a position to decide whether or not to give the President something in return such as support on a bill while he is still in Congress.   Quid pro quo arrangements of this sort should and probably do fall within the statutory prohibition.  Do we prevent such arrangements by requiring that all contacts between the White House and Members about potential appointments be disclosed?   By prohibiting Administration lobbying contacts with a Member who is under consideration for an appointment?

This letter raises issues that, if taken seriously, pertain to many Members of Congress who have interviewed for political appointments in the Executive Branch.  An Administration that wants good relations with Congress will bring some Members of Congress on board, but these issues could be difficult to resolve.