House of Representatives

If the current polls and predictions are accurate, the Democratic party is poised to take control of the House of Representatives next year, for the first time since 2010.  Congressional investigations thrive in divided government, and Democratic leaders in Congress are already promising a new wave of investigations.

My new
Continue Reading Are You Ready For Your Congressional Investigation?

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations is considering a major change to the way trade associations are allowed to raise money into their political action committees (PACs).  Currently, if a trade association wants to solicit money from its member companies’ employees, it must first get advance approval from the company,
Continue Reading U.S. House Considering Major Change to Trade Association PAC Fundraising Rules

The notion that the House and Senate Ethics Committees are inactive bodies, often implied in media coverage, is far from the truth.

During the previous Congress, the House Ethics Committee issued more than 900 formal advisory opinions and addressed more than 40,000 informal requests for guidance.  In the first half
Continue Reading Ethics Enforcement in the 114th Congress

National Journal reported today that the House Ethics Committee quietly scrapped “decades of precedent” requiring Members of the House of Representatives and certain senior staff to disclose privately funded travel on annual financial disclosure forms.

Despite this change, travel costs still must be disclosed.  Under the current House travel rules,
Continue Reading Despite House Ethics Rule Change, Privately Funded Travel Still Publicly Disclosed

Twenty House Democrats yesterday introduced proposed legislation that, if enacted in its current form, would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to:

  • Require corporations and labor unions which “submit[] regular, periodic reports” to their shareholders and members to include certain detailed information concerning their political spending.  That information


Continue Reading OPEN Sesame or a Potemkin Village?

Thinking about subsidizing a think-tank’s policy conference in Aspen?  If House Members or employees are expected to attend, corporations and trade associations should think twice before cutting the check.

Last month, we highlighted revisions to the House of Representatives travel regulations which kick in for trips on or after April
Continue Reading New House Travel Forms Highlight Restrictions on Underwriting Events

It is about to become a little more challenging for companies to pay travel costs for House Members and staff.  Starting for trips on or after April 1, 2013, Members and employees of the House must submit pre-approval request forms to the House Ethics Committee at least 30 days prior
Continue Reading Privately-Sponsored Travel For House Members and Staffers About To Get More Difficult

Last week, the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued a memorandum with a reminder about executive branch ethics rules governing holiday gifts and fundraising.  There is nothing unusual about guidance like this—late last month, for example, the House Ethics Committee issued one for House members and staff—but OGE’s guidance stands
Continue Reading Poetic Ethics (Not To Be Confused with Ethical Poetry)

Inauguration Day may be a holiday in DC, but the congressional and executive branch gift rules still apply.  Today, the House Committee on Ethics issued guidance to House Members and staff regarding Inauguration events.  Today’s House guidance offered some clarity regarding who may pay for and who may attend certain
Continue Reading Hosting an Inauguration Reception? Beware the Gift Rules.

Earlier this week, the House Committee on Ethics issued guidance on the House Gift Rule as a reminder of issues that might arise during the holiday season.  Absent an exception, Members and staff are prohibited under the House Gift Rule from accepting any gifts.  The Ethics Committee’s merry guidance focuses
Continue Reading House Committee on Ethics Issues Holiday Guidance on the Gift Rule