Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) plans to investigate reports that a Homeland Security adviser was soliciting donations to the Bush presidential library fund in exchange for access to high-ranking government officials.
Waxman sent a letter to Stephen Payne's Houston office requesting written responses to a series of questions:
1. What is your affiliation with George W. Bush Presidential Library? Have you been authorized or asked to solicit funds for the library?
2. Have you ever solicited funds for the library from any individuals, governments, companies, or organizations?
3. If you have ever solicited funds for the library, please describe each solicitation, including the persons or organizations solicited and amounts requested and received, and describe whether you arranged or attempted to arrange any meetings for such persons or organizations with U.S. government officials.
Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security officials are also investigating Payne, who was appointed last year to sit on the department's main advisory board.
"This is a horribly unfortunate story," said Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner. "We are looking into the facts." She declined to comment further.
Waxman asked that Payne provide his responses to the committee by July 23.
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