The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) released a memorandum explaining the executive order banning executive branch personnel from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The memo states that the order; "was not intended to prohibit certain gifts that do not implicate the purposes of the ban. [. . .] appointees may rely on the following interim guidance, to accept certain gifts from 501(c)(3) organizations and media organizations." This revises the order allowing covered officials to participate in events sponsored by charitable organizations and the press.

In a late January announcement of key staff for the Department of the Treasury, newly sworn in Secretary Timothy Geithner elected to retain Stuart Levey as Under Secretary of the Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (OTFI) office. Levey's tenure during the Bush administration coincided with OTFI's increasingly broad and punitive approach to the charitable sector rather than recognizing charitable works as a key factor in addressing root causes that lead people to terror and violence.

An Alabama House Committee approved a measure that would allow no-excuse absentee voting for Alabama voters.  The bill would allow anyone to cast an absentee ballot as long as 40 days before the election.  The House Constitution and Elections Committee approved the bill 9-2.