Democratic Lawmakers Call for Ethics Review of Howard Lutnick

Request Aims to Probe Potential Conflicts of Interest in Data‑Center Advocacy

Washington, D.C. — A bipartisan group of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate has formally asked a federal watchdog agency to examine whether Howard Lutnick is adhering to established ethics rules while championing data‑center projects that could advantage his family’s enterprises.

The legislators allege that Lutnick, a prominent figure in the data‑center industry, has repeatedly promoted the construction and expansion of facilities in locations where his relatives hold significant financial stakes. They contend that such advocacy may breach conflict‑of‑interest guidelines that prohibit public officials from using their influence for personal gain.

In a joint letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics, the lawmakers outlined several specific concerns, including:

• Direct involvement in lobbying efforts aimed at securing federal incentives for data‑center development.
• Potential undisclosed financial interests held by Lutnick’s family members in companies that stand to profit from these projects.
• Repeated public statements that appear to align with the commercial objectives of his relatives’ businesses.

The request urges the watchdog to conduct a thorough investigation, review relevant financial disclosures, and determine whether any violations of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch have occurred.

“Transparency is essential when public policy intersects with private profit,” said one of the Senate sponsors of the request. “If there are conflicts, they must be identified and addressed to preserve public trust.”

The Office of Congressional Ethics has acknowledged receipt of the letter and indicated that it will evaluate the merits of the complaint before deciding on the scope of any investigation.