Q:I am chief of staff for a member of the
House with a question about how House ethics rules might impact
staffers on furlough. The recent sequester has cut budgets for
members’ offices, and we are working through how to deal with
the cuts. I am wondering whether the rules would allow staffers to
do part-time work with their former law firms if they are placed on
furlough. I know that conflict-of-interest rules prohibit staffers
from doing some types of outside work, including legal work for
clients. But, would this restriction apply to staffers on furlough?
And, would it apply even if the staffers were to do purely
administrative work and perform no legal services at a law
firm?
A: Great questions. In fact, the House Ethics
Committee recently issued a memorandum reminding members and
staffers of laws and rules to consider when dealing with budget
cuts required by the sequester, including the subject of your
question: furloughs.
