End Citizens United (ECU) filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) against Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45) for engaging in partisan political activities at an “official” event and bragging about conducting constituent casework services to residents outside of her district on a partisan basis.
“The rules are simple and clear: Members of Congress can’t mix official responsibilities and campaign work — and yet, Rep. Steel clearly got caught doing exactly that,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “We believe Rep. Steel brazenly broke Congressional ethics rules and federal law, meriting an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics, and should ultimately be held accountable.”
The complaint:
- Rep. Steel recently attended an event, seemingly in an “official” capacity, where she engaged in partisan political activities, and she also bragged that she conducts constituent casework services to residents outside of her district on a partisan basis.
- On October 17, 2024, she attended and spoke at a ceremonial street naming event in the City of Huntington Beach, which is located outside of her district in Congressional District Forty-Seven, which is currently represented by Democratic Representative Katie Porter. Rep. Steel delivered a speech to celebrate a street being named after Ed Laird, a local resident who is known for making political donations to Republicans and conservative causes.
- During her speech, Rep. Steel presented Mr. Laird with what appeared to be an official certificate of Congressional recognition.
- Rep. Steel also stated that she would continue to provide congressional casework for residents in the Forty-Seventh District until the Republican candidate running in that district, Scott Baugh, is elected.
- Specifically, Rep. Steel stated: “I love this District [California’s Forty-Seventh Congressional District]. As much as I love my new district and used to represent here, don’t forget that, I still do the work in this district and my new district because you don’t have the right congressmember here.” She then added, “If you have any problem with the federal government, let me know. I’m still doing your work. And you know what? I’m gonna still do the work until Scott Baugh gets elected.”
Rep. Steel Has Violated the Prohibition On Mixing Official And Political Activities
- Federal law provides that appropriated funds may only be used for the purpose for which they were appropriated – and they, therefore, cannot be used for partisan political purposes.
- The Committee on Ethics has recognized that certain types of constituent events may, at a Member’s option, be conducted either as official or campaign events. However, “[o]nce the Member makes [her] determination [on whether an activity is to be official or political], [s]he is bound by it. A single event cannot, for purposes of the House rules, be treated as both political and official.”
- Based on the video footage of the event, it appears as if Rep. Steel was attending the street naming ceremony in an official capacity, as she used the occasion to present a certificate of recognition that seemed to have contained the official Congressional seal.
- However, she impermissibly used the occasion to engage in partisan political activities, campaigning for a Republican candidate for a congressional seat that includes Huntington Beach.
Rep. Steel Has Violated Federal Law By Devoting Her Office Resources To Casework For Individuals Who Live Outside Her District, and on a Partisan Basis
- Members receive a Representational Allowance to support the conduct of official and representational duties to the district from which they’re elected.
- Federal law requires that the Members’ Representational Allowance must “support the conduct of the official and representational duties of a Member of the House of Representatives with respect to the district from which the Member is elected.”
- Therefore, Members cannot devote official resources to casework for individuals outside of their district.
- Furthermore, the Committee on Ethics has advised that “[b]ecause a Member’s obligations are to all constituents equally, considerations such as political support, party affiliation, or campaign contributions should not affect either the decision of a Member to provide assistance or the quality of help that is given.”
- Here, Rep. Steel broke both standards.
- First, by announcing that she conducts casework for residents of California’s Forty-Seventh District and promising to continue to do so until a Republican candidate is elected to represent that district, Rep. Steel is expressly violating federal law and misusing federal funds appropriated to her office that is intended to help the residents of California’s Forty-Fifth District.
- Second, by her own admission, her decision to do so is purely partisan – as she indicated, she was performing these services for residents of the Forty-Seventh District because it is currently represented by a Democrat who is “not the right congressmember.”
- She indicated that she would continue to do so until Scott Baugh, a Republican, is elected in the district.
- Offering or withholding constituent services based on partisan considerations also violates the law, House rules, and standards of conduct.
- Based on information presented about the October 17, 2024 event, there is more than a reasonable basis to conclude that Rep. Steel violated Federal law and House Rules. We respectfully request that the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate this matter further.
###