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ARTICLE · 03 AUGUST 2010

A Question of Ethics: Are Contributions Allowed With a Bill Pending?

McGuireWoods LLP
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Q: "As a lobbyist, I was alarmed to read that the Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating several Members for accepting campaign contributions immediately before an important House vote. I was not aware of any rule regarding the timing of contributions. Is there a new rule restricting contributions within a certain time frame of pending legislation?"

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
C. Simon Davidson
C. Simon Davidson

Reprinted from Roll Call (July 27, 2010)*

Q: As a lobbyist, I was alarmed to read that the Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating several Members for accepting campaign contributions immediately before an important House vote. I was not aware of any rule regarding the timing of contributions. Is there a new rule restricting contributions within a certain time frame of pending legislation?

A: The Office of Congressional Ethics is indeed conducting an investigation that appears to concern the timing of campaign contributions in relation to a key House vote.

According to reports, the investigation is focused on eight Representatives who, within 48 hours of an important House vote on financial reform legislation, held fundraisers and received campaign contributions from lobbyists and other donors likely to be affected by the legislation. One Member reportedly left the financial reform House debate in order to go to a fundraiser attended by finance

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