Warren Questions Mulvaney about "Closed Door Event" with Campaign Donors, GOP Officials
Raises Concerns about OMB Director's Judgment, Management, Compliance with Federal Law
Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today raised questions about Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney's reported "closed door" appearance at a private event with Republican donors and campaign officials in New York at which he provided "an unusually raw assessment of [the Republican] party's strengths and weaknesses in the midterm elections."
"Your appearance at this private event with Republican donors and campaign officials raises questions about your compliance with the Hatch Act and other federal laws, your judgment, and your management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)," wrote Senator Warren.
In her letter, Senator Warren noted that she could find no other examples of Mulvaney's immediate predecessors at OMB or CFPB, or of any top Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or Federal Reserve official, meeting with top political party officials and campaign donors to provide advice and insight into upcoming elections.
"The report of your meeting with top donors and campaign officials raise new questions about your behavior, and require an explanation," Senator Warren continued. "...I do not understand how your decision to do so was consistent with your responsibilities either as OMB Director, or as Acting Director of the CFPB."
Senator Warren previously wrote to Mulvaney about his admission that as a Member of Congress, he offered lobbyists who gave campaign contributions special access - and asked whether he was continuing that policy in his role at CFPB. Mulvaney refused to answer Senator Warren's questions, claiming that his comments merely stressed the importance of constituents petitioning their Congressional representatives.
Senator Warren asked Mulvaney detailed questions about his appearance at this private Republican donor event, including in what capacity he attended, a copy of the event invitation, details of his travel and stay in New York, including information on the cost, and a complete list of attendees and matters discussed at the event.
Senator Warren also sent a copy of the letter to the head of the Office of Special Counsel, and the Office of Government Ethics.
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