September 22, By U.S. Mail and Fax. Re: Supplement to Request for Investigation into Conduct of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

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1 R E P U B L I C A N N A T I O N A L L A W Y E R S A S S O C I A T I O N September 22, 2011 David A. Norcross Chair Heather Heidelbaugh Co-Chair Cleta Mitchell President Lee Goodman First Vice-President Kristi Remington Judicial Affairs Randy Evans Election Education Larry Levy Finance Chris Ashby Membership Scott McCandless Washington Operations Terry Campo Professional Development J. Caleb Boggs III 2011 National Policy Conference Chair Robert J. Horn Founding Chair Michael B. Thielen Executive Director P.O. Box Washington, D.C Phone: (703) Fax: (202) info@republicanlawyer.net Mr. Omar Ashmawy Staff Director and Chief Counsel Office of Congressional Ethics 425 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 1110 Washington, DC By U.S. Mail and Fax Re: Supplement to Request for Investigation into Conduct of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) Dear Mr. Ashmawy: The Republican National Lawyers Association (the RNLA ) submits this letter as a supplement to the RNLA s Request for Investigation filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics on Monday September 19, 2011 based on two additional apparent violations of House Ethics Rules. Evidence of New Violations: Representative Wasserman Schultz s Continued Political Use of Video of House Proceedings On September 19, 2011, the RNLA submitted to the Office of Congressional Ethics, a complaint requesting an investigation into actions taken by Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz in violation to Rule 5 of the Rules of the House. On the very same day that the RNLA submitted its complaint, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Wasserman-Schultz issued a press statement announcing a new television ad as well as a radio ad to be aired in Spanish in critical electoral swing states: Denver, Colorado; Tampa and Miami, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada. 1 As with the previously released ads cited in the RNLA s letter of September 19, the new television advertisement shows President Obama speaking in the House chamber during the September 8, 2011 joint session of Congress (attached hereto and incorporated herein as EXHIBIT B). As the image of President Obama appears on the screen, a voice in Spanish says that Obama has a new plan, and in the face of Republicans, the President can t do it alone. 2 The message of the 1 See EXHIBIT A. 2 Id.

2 Page 2 ad invokes partisan political differences and evokes a call to action. Similarly, the new radio ad contains audio of President Obama s congressional address. 3 Furthermore, in her press release Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz says, The Republican Party is offering no new solutions for Hispanics they simply want to double down on the failed policies that brought our economy to the brink of a depression and hurt millions of American families, including far too many Latinos. 4 Rep. Wasserman Schultz, in highlighting her new advertisement, tries to shift the blame to Republicans for the economic failures of the Obama presidency. Such rhetoric underscores the political purpose of her usage of House footage. Legal Basis for Ethics Investigation: House Rule 5 Our September 19 th letter summarizes the relevant law that applies to the apparent violations cited therein and the additional ones that have since come to light. We refer you to that letter for a more detailed legal discussion. In short, the new advertisements appear to violate the broad prohibition on any Member of Congress s political use of coverage of the House of Representatives. 5 Conclusion Please supplement the RNLA s filed complaint with the information and evidence contained herein regarding these new apparent violations. The Office of Congressional Ethics should commence an immediate investigation and forward this matter to the House Committee on Ethics and any other relevant government authorities for appropriate action. I am aware that the False Statements Act, 18 U.S.C. 1001, applies to information submitted to the Office of Congressional Ethics. Sincerely, David Norcross Chair Republican National Lawyers Association 3 Id. 4 Id. 5 Rule V, cl. 2(c)(1) Rules of the House of Representatives 112th Congress (2011); House Ethics Manual, Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: 2008 Ed. p. 1.

3 Page 3 EXHIBIT A For Immediate Release September 19, 2011 Contact: Ricardo A. Ramírez, (202) DNC Releases New Spanish-Language Ads Ads Underscore President s Commitment to Jobs for the Hispanic Community *** Watch the TV ad here: *** Washington, D.C. Today, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced that the DNC has released a new Spanish-language television ad and radio ad, underscoring how the American Jobs Act will create jobs for the Hispanic Community. The President s plan includes a targeted investment of $15 billion in construction jobs and $50 billion in investments in transportation infrastructure to boost the construction industry that employs 2.77 million Hispanics, tax cuts that will go to every small business nationwide, including 250,000 Hispanic-owned small businesses, providing incentives to hire and make new investments, and tax credits that will encourage businesses to hire Hispanic veterans who, after returning from serving their country, have faced unemployment for six months or more. The DNC ads will run in Las Vegas, NV, Denver, CO, and Tampa and Miami, FL. With the release of the ads, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement: President Obama has been focused from day one on strengthening economic security for working and middle class families. Last week he delivered the American Jobs Act to Congress which would boost the construction industry, a sector that employs 2.77 million Hispanics, by investing in construction and

4 Page 4 infrastructure projects; cut taxes for an estimated 250,000 Hispanic-owned small businesses, and provide Hispanic veterans with greater employment opportunities by incentivizing businesses who hire them. The Republican Party is offering no new solutions for Hispanics- they simply want to double down on the failed policies that brought our economy to the brink of a depression and hurt millions of American families, including far too many Latinos. Watch the ad at: TITLE: "Únete por Más Trabajos" SCRIPT: English translation In this great nation we have people ready to work and a President ready to fight. Obama has a new plan that: Creates thousands of jobs fixing roads and bridges. Cuts taxes for small businesses for each job they create. And gives credits to businesses that employ veterans that have finished their service. But in the face of Republicans, the President can t do it alone. Read the plan. Stand together for more jobs. The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the contents of this ad. Spanish En esta gran nación tenemos gente lista para trabajar y un Presidente listo para luchar Obama tiene un nuevo plan de empleos que:

5 Page 5 Crea miles de trabajos en construcción reparando carreteras y puentes. Recorta impuestos a negocios pequeños por cada trabajo que crean. Y da créditos a compañías que emplean a veteranos que han cumplido su servicio. Pero ante los Republicanos, el Presidente no puede solo. Lee el plan. Únete por más trabajos. El Comité Nacional Demócrata es responsable por el contenido de este anuncio. Radio Ad Script English Translation Two wars and an economy bleeding jobs Working families with their backs against the wall That s what Barack Obama faced when he got to the White House. But the President went to work: Ensuring thousands of teachers kept their jobs That millions of children had health insurance And he insisted on loans for small businesses. But there s still much to be done. That s why the President challenged Republicans to leave behind Washington s political games and stand with him to put the country to work. Obama (Congress Jobs Speech): I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away. It s called the American Jobs Act.

6 Page 6 It s time to act. Obama (Ohio Jobs Speech): There is work to be done. There are workers ready to do it. So let s tell Congress, pass this bill right away. It s time to put our people to work. Raise your voice. Read President Obama s jobs plan at HoraDeTrabajar.com and stand together for more jobs. Paid for by the Democratic National Committee. Democrats.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this ad. Spanish version Dos guerras y una economía perdiendo empleos Familias trabajadoras con las espaldas contra la pared Eso es lo que se enfrentó Barack Obama cuando llegó a la Casa Blanca. Pero el Presidente se puso a trabajar: Aseguró que miles de maestros sigan empleados Que millones de niños tengan seguro médico E insistió por préstamos a pequeños comerciantes. Pero todavía hay mucho por hacer. Por eso el Presidente desafió a los Republicanos a dejar atrás los juegos políticos de Washington y unirse con él a poner al país a trabajar. Obama (Congress Jobs Speech): I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away. It s called the American Jobs Act. Es tiempo de actuar.

7 Page 7 Obama (Ohio Jobs Speech): There is work to be done. There are workers ready to do it. So let s tell Congress, pass this bill right away. Es tiempo de poner a nuestra gente a trabajar. Levanta la voz. Lee el plan de empleos del Presidente Obama en HoraDeTrabajar.com y únete por más trabajos. Pagado por el Comité Nacional Demócrata. Democrats.org. No autorizado por ningún candidato o comité de candidatos. El Comité Nacional Demócrata es responsable por el contenido de este anuncio.

8 Page 8 EXHIBIT B TITLE: "Únete por Más Trabajos":