Administration Alters Rules on Ethics Waivers

[Khephra]

Only White House Can Approve Key Officials' Job Talks With Firms

By Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 14, 2004; Page A04


The White House has ordered all federal agencies to stop issuing ethics waivers that allow key officials to negotiate jobs with private companies while they are shaping federal policies important to the potential employers.

White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. issued a memo last week saying that, effective immediately, only the White House can approve such waivers. The administration portrayed the directive as part of an overall effort to strengthen government ethics.

But congressional sources and outside advocacy groups said the Jan. 6 memo appeared related to the recent job change of a top presidential adviser involved in last year's overhaul of Medicare. The official, Thomas A. Scully, took jobs last month with a law firm and an investment company that deal with health care. Scully was contacted by several companies while he was negotiating the complicated Medicare legislation approved by Congress in November.

Federal law generally bars presidential appointees such as Scully from discussing possible employment with firms involved in, or hoping to be involved in, matters handled by those officials. Scully, however, obtained a waiver from the Department of Health and Human Services, apparently without the White House's knowledge.

more....................

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14474-2004Jan13.html

[jamesinca]

1. I must ask the Wm. Bennett question

Would they have done this if they did not get caught? He asked this of Clinton's blow job. Would he have confessed and tried to make amends if he had not been caught. Would they have done this if they did not have this situation arise?

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. You can bet that Bush contributers

will have no problem getting waivers. White House control just insures that everyone knows where to send the check.

[isbister]

3. Does anyone know if Dick has one

...a waiver?

[sockeye3pete]

4. People

My uncle is GWB. I taught the girls piano for five years.

[SoCalDem]

5. and???

:)Do they play well??