(2018-0141-F) Steve Ricchetti -Office of Legislative Affairs

The materials in FOIA 2018-0141-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. The select records in this FOIA case concern Steve Ricchetti’s files in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Ricchetti served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs from January 1993 to February 1996. In that capacity he acted as the President’s principal liaison to the Senate. After a brief period in the private sector, Ricchetti returned to the White House succeeding John Podesta as Deputy White House Chief of Staff. Types of records found in this collection include memoranda, correspondence, publications, reports, resumes, lists, fax cover sheets, faxes, lists, fact sheets, press releases, and newspaper articles. A considerable number of the documents deal with Clinton’s attempt to formulate a nation wide health care plan that would attract both Democrats and Republicans. Memos relating to strategy to be pursued in Congress pass back and forth between Hillary Clinton and Chris Jennings, an adviser on health care reform. Fact sheets and press releases address specific issues such as health care coverage for African Americans, antitrust provisions in health reform, comprehensive benefits, hospitals and health care reform, insurance reform, malpractice reform, prescription drugs, and regional alliances. Several folders contain information related to meetings by Clinton Cabinet officials and other health care experts to influence individuals in the House of Representatives and Senate who might be undecided or wavering back and forth on the subject to vote in favor of the current Democratic proposal before them. Each member of the Cabinet is given a list of people to meet. In another case, an attachment entitled “Senators’ Current Status, 4/29/93” contains lists under the headings of “Reliable,” “Lean Yes,” “Need Work,” “Lean No,” and “No.” Detailed reports profile members from both parties, with a section called “Recent Developments” at the end of the discussion of each person. Throughout the records, correspondence from Representatives and Senators usually addressed to either President Clinton or the Office of Presidential Personnel recommending specific individuals for specific posts. In addition, there are reports in the files concerning mostly health care. The first part of the FOIA case consists of letters of the alphabet, as specified by the requestor. Generally, what can be found here are forms known as “Candidate Information Summary” that contain information for individuals applying for jobs within the administration. Resumes are also fairly common in these folders.