Transportation Dept trying to manipulate Congress on Energy bill

Five western governors,including Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, are joining forces inurging the US Congress to take action on the issue of energy reform. More specifically, motor vehicle emissions are a concern thatCalifornia wants the federal government to regulate.  But as uncoveredby TPMmuckraker, the Transportation Department is acting as a lobbying arm of the auto industry in an effort to thwart any legislative action.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman responded by sending a letter to Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.  Waxman is asking for information about a voicemail message by a DoT staffer that implicates the agency in an auto industry lobbying effort:

It is not an appropriate use of federalresources to lobby members of Congress to oppose state efforts toprotect the environment. It is especially problematic on an issue thatis pending for decision before the Administration and that is supposedto be decided based on an independent assessment of the merits. At thevery least, Ms. Shamoradi's call suggests the presence of an improperhidden agenda.

Inother words, the Transportation Department is trying to lobby membersof Congress on behalf of the auto industry -- and that is against thelaw.

The Transportation Department responded immediately, insisting it did not break any rules:

“These restrictions do not apply to direct contact between ExecutiveBranch officials and members of Congress, nor do they apply to contactconcerning matters pending within the Executive Branch, as opposed tolegislative matters,” Knapp wrote.

But the rules do apply to pending legislative matters.  According to the Hatch Act, federal officials are not allowed to use government money or staff time to lobby Congress.  In this case, the Transportation Department did use its staff time, as proved by a voicemail recording that an official from that agency sent to a congressional staffer.

Yet another abuse of power on the part of the Executive Branch.

Comments

[granny]

I wonder if Ms.Rosalind A. Knapp,(DoT’s acting general counsel) got her law degree at Regent University ?

[granny]

DOT, gov't bios:

Ms. Knapp joined the Department of Transportation as an Honors Attorney in 1973. She served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Transportation (1974- 1977), as an Attorney-Advisor (1977-1979), and as Assistant General Counsel for Legislation (1979-1981). She has held the position of Deputy General Counsel since 1981.

Ms. Knapp received her law degree from Stanford Law School in 1973 and her bachelor of arts from Stanford University in 1967. She is a member of the District of Columbia and California Bars. Before attending law school, Ms. Knapp worked at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Perhaps worth note that she also is a member of the California Bar ~

All of which : all of which "means" nothing; but may be worth knowing as the story unfolds.