Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) chief of staff has found a familiar face in her new assistant: her own sister.
Chelsea DeCasper started last week as the assistant to the chief of staff, Jennifer DeCasper. The more-seasoned sibling, who was promoted as the senator's top aide in January, has more than 14 years of congressional experience. Her sister Chelsea has no prior Hill work experience, according to salary records.
Senate ethics rules say senators, their staff and other officials are generally prohibited from hiring, appointing, promoting, advancing or even recommending any relative for a job with the federal government or the government of the District of Columbia. The rules reinforce a federal statute on the matter, which is sometimes referred to as the "Bobby Kennedy Law" because President John F. Kennedy hired his brother as attorney general. Relatives that are specified in the anti-nepotism statue include spouses, parents and siblings, among others.
Though the Senate Ethics Committee has in the past advised that it is acceptable for senators to hire a staff member's relative, it has only done so if the staff member in question had no direct bearing on their relative's employment.
Communications Director Sean Smith said he could not discuss "internal policies and procedures" but Scott hires staff based on who will best serve South Carolina.
"He seeks candidates with integrity, determination, attention to detail, and a passion for public service, and looks for those candidates wherever or whomever they may be," Smith said by email. "Senate ethics rules allow for relatives to work together on the staff level, and therefore we do not believe that qualified candidates for positions should be excluded solely on those lines. Chelsea exhibits all of the traits important to the senator, and has already proven to be a valuable member of our team."
