Federal Conflict of Interest Legislation

Pursuant to House Resolution 107, 85th Congress, the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary appointed the following members to act as the Antitrust Subcommittee and to carry on the investigations and submit the reports authorized by this resolution: Emanuel Celler (New York), chairman; Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (New Jersey); Byron G. Rogers (Colorado); Lester Holtzman (New York); Kenneth B. Keating (New York); William M. McCulloch (Ohio); William E. Miller (New York).

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

MARCH 1, 1958. To Members of Subcommittee No. 5 of the Committee on the Judiciary: Testimony taken before the subcommittee during the 84th Congress revealed the need for a reappraisal of Federal legislation prohibiting conflicts of interest in Government employment. In recent years, these laws have been repeatedly criticized, both in and out of Congress, as confused and inadequate. They should be revised, simplified, and coordinated in order more effectively to prevent unethical practices, while at the same time preserving the dignity of Government service and maintaining its attractiveness to competent men and women.

With the objective of obtaining an informed analysis of existing conflict of interest and related laws, I have requested the staff of the subcommittee to prepare a report on Federal Conflict of Interest Legislation. Parts I and II of that report, dealing with the conflict of interest statutes and the related provisions of the Criminal Code prohibiting bribery, are transmitted herewith.

I hope that the material which the staff has prepared will prove interesting and useful to members of the subcommittee. It is understood that any conclusions or recommendations contained in the staff report do not necessarily embody the views of the subcommittee or any of its members.

EMANUEL CELLER, Chairman.