UNITED STATES OFFICE OF

GOVERNMENT ETHICS

* May 22, 2017

The Honorable Jason E. Chaffetz The Honorable Ronald H. Johnson

Chairman Chairman
Committee on Oversight and Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Reform Governmental Affairs
United States House of Representatives United States Senate
2157 Rayburn House Office Building 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC, 20510

The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings The Honorable Claire C. McCaskill

Ranking Member Ranking Member
Committee on Oversight and Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Reform Governmental Affairs
United States House of Representatives United States Senate
2471 Rayburn House Office Building 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC, 20510

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte The Honorable Charles E. Grassley

Chairman Chairman
Committee on Judiciary Committee on the Judiciary
United States House of Representatives United States Senate
2309 Rayburn House Office Building 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510-6050

The Honorable John Conyers The Honorable Dianne G. B. Feinstein

Ranking Member Ranking Member
Committee on Judiciary Committee on the Judiciary
United States House of Representatives United States Senate
2426 Rayburn House Office Building 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510-6050

Dear Members of Congress:

Enclosed please find a letter from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in response to a letter
dated May 17, 2017, from John M. Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. In his letter,
Director Mulvaney questions OGE's authority to collect ethics information and records from executive branch
officials, specifically ethics waivers and Standards of Conduct authorizations. As discussed in the enclosed
letter, OGE is fully authorized to collect such information and records, and agencies have a long history of
compliance. OGE's ability to fulfill its mission depends on its statutory authority to collect such information and
records. I trust that you will find the enclosed response informative. Please do not hesitate to contact OGE's
Chief of Staff, Shelley K. Finlayson, should you have any questions or require further information.

Walter M. Shaub, Jr.

Director
Enclosure

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