1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that you introduce and support legislation to close the glaring loopholes in the federal Anti-Nepotism Statute (5 U.S.C. § 3110). Everyday Americans face strict corporate anti-nepotism rules to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure merit-based hiring. Yet, in the halls of federal power, political families easily bypass the law. The recent appointment of a deceased Senator's sibling to a vacant U.S. Senate seat highlights how easily state and federal actors can coordinate to keep political power concentrated within the same families. The current federal anti-nepotism law is too weak. It only bans a public official from directly appointing their own relatives. It does nothing to prevent a friendly Governor from appointing an official's relative to a vacant seat, nor does it stop politicians from utilizing "uncompensated" advisory roles or third-party proxies to install family members in high-level government positions. I urge you to draft and pass legislation that will: 1 Ban "Reciprocal" or Proxy Appointments: Prohibit governors or other appointing authorities from appointing any immediate family member of a vacating Senator or Representative to fill a congressional vacancy. 2 Expand the Scope of "Public Officials": Ensure the anti-nepotism law strictly applies to all branches of government—including the White House, the Executive Office of the President, and both chambers of Congress—without exception for "advisory" or "unpaid" roles. 3 Prohibit Proxy Recommendation: Make it illegal for an official to influence, lobby, or suggest the appointment of their relative to a separate appointing authority. Political offices are meant to represent the public, not serve as hereditary family trusts. It is time to hold politicians to the same professional standards that govern everyday working Americans.