OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Mike Honda
On June 5, 2015, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Mike Honda.
Nature of Review
Representative Honda and members of his congressional staff may have used official resources, including staff time, to benefit his campaigns. If Representative Honda used official resources for campaign purposes, then he may have violated federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct.
Representative Honda and members of his congressional staff may have improperly tied official activities, including a roundtable event with a State Department official, to past or potential campaign or political support. If Representative Honda improperly linked official activities to campaign or political support, then he may have violated House rules and standards of conduct.
Representative Honda may have used his congressional staff to assist with personal matters. If Representative Honda used congressional staff for personal errands or business, then he may have violated House rules and standards of conduct.
OCE Recommendations
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation that Representative Honda used official resources for campaign purposes, as there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Honda and members of his congressional staff used official resources, including staff time, to benefit his campaign.
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation that Representative Honda improperly linked official activities to campaign or political support, as there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Honda improperly tied official events to past or potential campaign or political support.
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics dismiss the allegation that Representative Honda used congressional staff to assist with personal matters, as there is not substantial reason to believe that Representative Honda used congressional staff for personal errands or business.
Committee Conclusion
On September 3, 2015, the Committee on Ethics released
a statement indicating it would continue to gather information necessary to complete its review. The Committee published the OCE report and findings and announced the allegations would be further reviewed pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a).