Senate Rule XLIII - Representation by members

111th Congress
1. In responding to petitions for assistance, a Member of the Senate, acting directly or through employees, has the right to assist petitioners before executive and independent government officials and agencies.

2. At the request of a petitioner, a Member of the Senate, or a Senate employee, may communicate with an executive or independent government official or agency on any matter toþ

(a) request information or a status report;

(b) urge prompt consideration;

(c) arrange for interviews or appointments;

(d) express judgments;

(e) call for reconsideration of an administrative response which the Member believes is not reasonable supported by statutes, regulations or considerations of equity or public policy; or

(f) perform any other service of a similar nature consistent with the provisions of this rule.

3. The decision to provide assistance to petitioners may not be made on the basis of contributions or services, or promises of contributions or services, to the Member's political campaigns or to other organizations in which the Member has a political, personal, or financial interest.

4. A Member shall make a reasonable effort to assure that representations made in the Member's name by any Senate employee are accurate and conform to the Member's instructions and to this rule.

5. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit the authority of Members, and Senate employees, to perform legislative, including committee, responsibilities.

6. No Member, with the intent to influence solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity, shall-

(a) take or withhold, or offer or threaten to take or withhold, an official act; or

(b) influence, or offer or threaten to influence the official act of another.

109th Congress
1. In responding to petitions for assistance, a Member of the Senate, acting directly or through employees, has the right to assist petitioners before executive and independent government officials and agencies.

2. At the request of a petitioner, a Member of the Senate, or a Senate employee, may communicate with an executive or independent government official or agency on any matter toþ

(a) request information or a status report;

(b) urge prompt consideration;

(c) arrange for interviews or appointments;

(d) express judgments;

(e) call for reconsideration of an administrative response which the Member believes is not reasonable supported by statutes, regulations or considerations of equity or public policy; or

(f) perform any other service of a similar nature consistent with the provisions of this rule.

3. The decision to provide assistance to petitioners may not be made on the basis of contributions or services, or promises of contributions or services, to the Member's political campaigns or to other organizations in which the Member has a political, personal, or financial interest.

4. A Member shall make a reasonable effort to assure that representations made in the Member's name by any Senate employee are accurate and conform to the Member's instructions and to this rule.

5. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit the authority of Members, and Senate employees, to perform legislative, including committee, responsibilities.

Resources

 * Rules of the 109th U.S. Senate

Articles

 * "Rule XLIII," U.S. Senate - Committee on Rules and Administration, 2005.