Financial Assets and Conflict of Interest Regulation in the Executive Branch, Jack Maskell – Legislative Attorney, January 17, 2014

“The underlying principle of the financial conflict of interest laws adopted by Congress, and of the regulations promulgated in the executive branch, embodies the axiom “that a public servant owes undivided loyalty to the Government,” and that decisions, advice, and recommendations made by or given to the government by its officers be made in the public interest and not be tainted, even unintentionally, with influence from personal financial interests. The House Judiciary Committee, reporting out major conflict of interest revisions made in the 1960s, found:

The proper operation of a democratic government requires that officials be independent and impartial; that Government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; … and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. The attainment of one or more of these ends is impaired whenever there exists, or appears to exist an actual or potential conflict between the private interests of a Government employee and his duties as an official.”