^®: CRE Regulatory Action of the Week

GAO Finds HHS Violated Law That HHS and Justice Claim Is Unconstitutional
The Government Accounting Office recently advised several senators that HHS violated an Appropriations Act and Resolution by paying an HHS official who threatened to fire an HHS employee if the employee provided information requested by Congress. The information was cost estimates of then-pending prescription drug legislation. The Appropriations Act and Resolution prohibit the use of appropriated funds to pay the salary of a federal official who prevents another agency employee from communicating with Congress. HHS and Justice Department attorneys claim that these prohibitions are unconstitutional on separation-of-powers grounds.