May a Member Use a Staffer as a Personal Assistant?

By C. Simon Davidson
Roll Call Contributing Writer

June 2, 2009, 12 a.m.

I am a staffer for a freshman Member of the House with a question about filling out our boss’ staff. We have one more position to fill, and our Member would like to hire someone who has served as his personal assistant for the past eight years. Over the years, the personal assistant has done a little bit of everything for the Member, including scheduling, driving, laundry — even baby-sitting his children. Our chief of staff has concerns about whether someone on the House payroll can perform duties like these. May the Member hire his longtime assistant to perform these duties as a House staffer?

Schumer Advocates for Many on Panel

Nov. 16, 12 a.m.

As Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson once said of the Joint Economic Committee, “It’s as useless as tits on a bull.” But as that panel’s chairman during the 110th Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized the opportunity to elevate the traditionally low-profile post to the forefront of shaping policy. Read Full Article