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United States · Resolution · HRES

H.Res. 250 (104th)

To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide for gift reform.

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

30 October 1995

Last action

16 November 1995 · Passed

Status

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sponsors

Rep. Waldholtz, Enid Greene [R-UT-2], Rep. Barrett, Thomas M. [D-WI-5], Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4], Rep. Minge, David [D-MN-2], Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9], Rep. Klug, Scott L. [R-WI-2], Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5], Rep. Luther, Bill [D-MN-6], Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3], Rep. Dunn, Jennifer [R-WA-8], Rep. Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4], Rep. Forbes, Michael P. [D-NY-1], Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2], Rep. Smith, Nick [R-MI-7], Rep. Hayworth, J. D. [R-AZ-5], Rep. Ganske, Greg [R-IA-4], Rep. Sanford, Mark [R-SC-1], Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12], Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Rep. Pomeroy, Earl [D-ND-At Large], Rep. Bentsen, Ken [D-TX-25], Rep. Castle, Michael N. [R-DE-At Large], Rep. Poshard, Glenn [D-IL-22], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Blute, Peter I. [R-MA-3], Rep. Rivers, Lynn N. [D-MI-13], Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15], Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Amends rule LI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to replace provisions governing employment practices with provisions that prohibit a House Member, officer, or employee from knowingly accepting a gift except as provided in this Act. Allows such individual to accept a gift (other than cash or cash equivalent) which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to have a value of less than $50 and a cumulative value from one source during a calendar year of less than $100. Provides that no gift with a value below ten dollars shall count towards the $100 annual limit. Considers a gift to a family member to be a gift to such Member, officer, or employee if given with his or her knowledge and acquiescence and if he or she has reason to believe that the gift was given because of his or her official position. Treats only the food and refreshment provided to such Member, officer, or employee as a gift if food and refreshment are also provided at the same time and place to such individual's spouse or dependent. Includes among exempted items: (1) contributions lawfully made under the Federal Election Campaign Act, a limited contribution for election to a State or local government office under such Act, or attendance at a fund raising event sponsored by a political organization; (2) anything provided on the basis of a personal friendship unless such Member, officer, or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of his or her official position; (3) otherwise lawful contributions to such individual's legal expense fund; (4) food, refreshments, lodging, and other benefits which result from the outside business or employment activities of such Member, officer, or employee or spouse if such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of such individual's official position, which are customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions, or which are provided by a political organization in connection with a fund raising or campaign event; (5) training that is the House's interest; (6) a gift of personal hospitality of an individual other than a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; and (7) certain other opportunities and benefits provided to the public or to Government employees generally. Establishes conditions under which such Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer of free attendance at a convention, dinner, or similar event. Prohibits the acceptance of a gift exceeding $250 on the basis of the personal friendship exception unless the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct issues a written determination that such exception applies. Provides that certain reimbursements to such Member, officer, or employee for travel expenses to an event in connection with official duties shall not be considered to be gifts if advance authorization is received and the reimbursements and authorization are disclosed within a specified time period. Declares that activities that are substantially recreational in nature shall not be considered to be in connection with official duties. Includes as prohibited gifts to such Member, officer, or employee from a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal: (1) anything provided to an entity that is maintained or controlled by such Member, officer, or employee; (2) a charitable contribution made on the basis of such Member's, officer's, or employee's specification, with the exception of a mass mailing or other solicitation directed to a broad category of persons or entities; (3) a contribution or other payment to such Member's, officer's, or employee's legal expense fund; and (4) a financial contribution or expenditure made relating to a conference or similar event sponsored by, or affiliated with, an official congressional organization for, or on behalf of, such Members, officers, or employees. Provides that a charitable contribution made by a registered lobbyist or agent in lieu of an honorarium to such Member, officer, or employee shall not be considered a gift under this Act if such Member, officer, or employee reports to the Clerk of the House the name and address of the registered lobbyist, the date and amount of the contribution, and the name and address of the designated or recommended charitable organization. Declares that such rules shall be interpreted and enforced solely by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Amends rule X to revise the functions of the Committee on House Oversight to include accepting a gift for the House if such gift does not involve any duty, burden, or condition or is not made dependent upon some future performance by the House.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 30 October 1995

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 30 October 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 30 October 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 2 November 1995

    Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 7 November 1995

    Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 14 November 1995

    Calendars

    Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 120.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 14 November 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Rules. H. Rept. 104-337.

    Source: Committee

  8. 14 November 1995

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Rules. H. Rept. 104-337.

    Source: Committee

  9. 14 November 1995

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  10. 14 November 1995

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 15 November 1995

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 268 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 250. Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the H. Res. 250 in the House. Specified amendments are in order. The amendments recommended by the Committee on Rules now printed in the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on resolution, as amended, and any amendment thereto without intervening motion except: 1) 30 minutes of debate on the resolution; 2) the amendment printed in part 1 of the reprot accompanying this resolution, with 30 minutes of debate; 3) if the amendment in part 1 is rejected or not offered, the amendment printed in part 2 of the report, if offered by Representative Gingrich, shall be separately debatable for 30 minutes. All points of order against the amendments printed in the report shall be waived.

    Source: Floor

  12. 16 November 1995

    Vote

    On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 422 - 6 (Roll no. 809).

    Source: Floor

  13. 16 November 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  14. 16 November 1995

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 422 - 6 (Roll no. 809).

    Source: Floor

  15. 16 November 1995

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  16. 16 November 1995

    Failed

    Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 250. Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the H. Res. 250 in the House. Specified amendments are in order. The amendments recommended by the Committee on Rules now printed in the resolution shall be considered as adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution, as amended, and any amendment thereto without intervening motion except: 1) 30 minutes of debate on the resolution; 2) the amendment printed in part 1 of the report accompanying this resolution, with 30 minutes of debate; 3) if the amendment in part 1 is rejected or not offered, the amendment printed in part 2 of the report, if offered by Representative Gingrich, shall be separately debatable for 30 minutes. All points of order against the amendments printed in the report shall be waived.

    Source: Floor

  17. 16 November 1995

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 268. (consideration: CR H13073-13094)

    Source: Floor

  18. 16 November 1995

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 268 passed House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

10 official files

Engrossed in House (text)

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 16 November 1995

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 16 November 1995

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  • Agreed to House (text)

    Agreed to House · EN · 16 November 1995

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  • Agreed to House (PDF)

    Agreed to House · EN · 16 November 1995

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 16 November 1995

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 14 November 1995

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 14 November 1995

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 30 October 1995

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 30 October 1995

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 30 October 1995

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