Congress urged to probe Karen Budd-Falen grazing policy conflict

6 articles · Updated · Raw Story · May 9

The watchdog plans a Saturday letter after video from a December Western Caucus event showed the Interior associate deputy secretary saying she helped relax grazing limits.
The Washington Post said Budd-Falen and her husband partly own at least five Nevada and Wyoming cattle or ranch operations, each valued above $1 million, that could benefit.
Campaign for Accountability called the case brazen, while former Bush ethics lawyer Richard Painter said her remarks, if accurate, could amount to a straightforward federal financial conflict-of-interest violation.

An official shaped rules benefiting her ranches before getting a waiver. What does this reveal about ethics oversight?

When an official's expertise is also their financial interest, how can public trust in policy-making be maintained?