Two Democratic senators today called for Lurita Doan to step down as administrator of the General Services Administration, citing what they see as a pattern of ethical lapses during her tenure at the agency.

Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) point to three key issues that have arisen in recent months: possible Hatch Act violations at a brown-bag lunch where a White House official gave a campaign strategy presentation, a $20,000 no-bid contract to a friend and disregard for GSA’s inspector general.

“The combination of all three within a year is, in my view, a pattern that cannot be ignored,” Wyden said at a press conference.

“She should resign or be asked to resign by the president,” Dorgan said.
Today, 25 senators, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), sent a letter to Joshua Bolten, the White House chief of staff, pressing for information about the brown-bag luncheon and related concerns.

They want to know if the White House approved the presentation and if it gives similar presentations in other agencies. They also ask why materials with a White House seal were sent via a private e-mail account affiliated with the Republican National Committee.

“The executive branch is not an extension of the Republican National Committee, nor of any political party,” the letter states.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing in March about the allegations of wrongdoing. Doan is under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel for possible Hatch Act violations.

Doan has denied wrongdoing, and she has told Federal Computer Week that she has no plans to step down as administrator.

“The administrator remains greatly optimistic about the future of the General Services Administration and is humbled and honored to serve the president and the American people in leading this great agency," said a GSA spokesman. "Her commitment to fiscal discipline and effective government has never been stronger and she looks forward to continuing successes in the days ahead.”