Reading Room Document
Use of White House Funds for Payment of Consultants to Assist Presidential Nominee to Regulatory Agency at Confirmation Hearing
The document discusses the legality of using funds appropriated to the White House Office to pay a consultant (an attorney) to assist a nominee to a regulatory agency in his confirmation hearing and to prepare the individual to assume his position, if appointed. The document concludes that the White House Office may expend funds to protect the official interest involved in assisting a nominee, as it advances the official interests of the Presidency. The questions presented for review include whether services of this type are subject to any other statutory prohibition and whether assisting a nominee is a "reasonably necessary" activity of the White House Office.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit