As Roll Call has reported in the past — and as the Ethics Committee acknowledged in its statement — the annual financial statements filed by Members of Congress frequently contain errors or omissions and require amendment. A Roll Call review last May of filings with the Clerk of the House showed that at least three out of 10 House members had to amend their financial disclosure forms at a later date. The committee confirmed that between 30 percent and 50 percent of all statements reviewed contain errors or omissions.
“Buchanan said he was pleased with the committee’s action but not surprised, noting that many Congressmen and Senators routinely amend their reports due to inadvertent omissions,” according to a statement provided by his office.
The committee is also considering a second matter related to allegations that Buchanan offered almost $3 million to settle a series of legal disputes with a former business partner in exchange for him filing a false affidavit with the Federal Election Commission. That case was also referred from the OCE and the committee said in May that it would continue reviewing the referral as an 18(a) case, which is ongoing.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
