Who are Covered Federal Officials?
The need to report a lobbying contact only applies when a covered official, such as a member of Congress or congressional staff, is present. Covered officials include legislative , executive, and military personnel as indicated below.
A covered legislative branch official is defined as any of the following:
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members of Congress'
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an elected officer of either House of Congress;
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an employee of a member of Congress, a committee of either House of Congress, the leadership staff of either House of Congress, a joining committee of Congress, and a working group or caucus organized to provide legislative services or other assistance to members of Congress;
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all officers of the House and Senate (Clerk of the House, Secretary of the Senate, etc.), and other highly compensated employees ($114,200 and above for 2008). Please check with us if uncertain about eligibility.
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Those designated in section 109(13) of the Ethics in Government Act as an “officer or employee of the Congress.”
A covered executive branch official is defined as any of the following:
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the President;
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the Vice President;
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any officer or employee in the Executive Office of the President;
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generally the top three levels in an agency (agency Heads, Deputies, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Administrators) but there are exceptions;
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any officer or employee serving in a position in Level I-V of the Executive Schedule;
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all Generals and Admirals;
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any member of the uniformed armed services whose pay grade is at or above O-7;
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"Schedule C" employees (positions in which the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the agency head, such as an Undersecretary or Director); and
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political appointees regardless of title.