"Collecting ethics records from agencies is just about the most routine thing OGE does," he said in a statement to The Washington Post. "I'm certain agency ethics officials never had any doubt about their legal duty to respond. All the same, Director Mulvaney's second letter was helpful in clearing up any confusion his first letter may have created. Agency ethics officials can now feel safe providing the sort of responses they've always provided. I'm glad things are back on track."