What are the rules of conduct for the members of congress?

Answer 1

The Congressional Ethics Code of Conduct:

1. General Ethical Standards

A Member of the Board shall conduct him or herself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the Board and the Office of Congressional Ethics.

2. Statement of Principles

The Board and staff shall endeavor at all times to uphold the highest ethical standards. In so doing, the Board and staff will be guided by the following principles.

3. Oath of Board Members and Staff

Before any individual who is appointed to serve on the board (including an individual who is an alternate) or before any individual is hired to be a staff member of the Office may do so, the individual shall execute a signed document containing the following statement: "I agree not to be a candidate for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years after I am no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of Congressional Ethics.".

4. Compensation, Gifts and Gratuities for Board Service

A member of the Board may not receive compensation for his service on the Board from any source other than the per diem provided for under H. Res. 895 of the 110th Congress.

5. Financial Disclosure

Members of the board and senior staff (to the extent required by the House Code of Official Conduct) shall file annual financial disclosure reports with the Clerk of the House on or before May 15 of each calendar year after any year in which they perform the duties of that position. Such reports shall be on a form prepared by the Clerk that is substantially similar to form 450 of the Office of Government Ethics. The Clerk shall send a copy of each such report filed with the Clerk within the seven- day period beginning on the date on which the report is filed to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and shall have them printed as a House document and made available to the public.

6. Disqualification for Financial Conflict of Interest

If any matter before the Board or transaction with the Office involves a close relative, partner, client or business associate of a Board member, or any person or organization with which the board member is affiliated, is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment or financial interest, that

7. Recusal

A Board member who determines he or she cannot review a mattter before the Board in an impartial manner must recuse him or herself. A lack of

impartiality may arise from personal or professional affiliations with a subject or other person involved in a matter before the Board.

8. Prohibition on Public Disclosure

When an individual becomes a member of the Board or staff of the Office, that individual shall execute the following oath or affirmation in writing: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose to any person or entity outside the Office any information received in the course of my service with the Office, except as authorized by the Board as necessary to conduct as official business or pursuant to its rules." Copies of the executed oath shall be provided to the Clerk of the House as part of the records of the House.

9. Requirements for Public Speaking by Board Members or Staff

No member of the staff or Board may accept public speaking engagements or write for publication on any subject that is in any way related to his or her employment or duties with the Office without specific prior approval from the chairman and co-chairman.

10. Appearance Before the Office by Former Board Members or Staff

No former member of the Board or staff shall, after the termination of his or her service or employment, represent any person or entity by making any formal appearance or any oral or written communication with the intent to influence a decision of the Board, until at least one year has elapsed since the termination of his or her service or employment.

11. Anti-Discrimination Policy

A member of the Board may not discharge and may not refuse to hire an individual as a staff member of the OCE, or otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to compensations, terms, condition, or privileges of employment, because of the race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental status, disability, age, national origin or political affiliation of such individual.

12. Prohibition on Partisan Activity by Board and Staff

Each Board member and each staff member shall perform all official duties in a nonpartisan manner.

No member of the staff shall engage in any partisan political activity affecting any election, including making campaign contributions.

No member of the Board shall engage in any partisan political activity affecting an election to the House of Representatives or affecting any election in which a Member, officer or staff of the House of Representatives is a candidate, including making campaign contributions.

Any Board member or staff member whose activity violates this rule shall disclose such activity to the Board and shall be recused pursuant to Rule 7 on any matter affected by the activity.

13. Certification and Annual Training

Each member of the Board and staff shall certify that they have read and agree to abide by the provisions of this Code and to participate in annual ethics training.

14. Violation; Recommendation of Resignation and Dismissal

A majority of a quorum of the Board may recommend to a Board member who has willfully violated this Code of Conduct that he or she resign and, in the absence of a resignation, may recommend to the Speaker and the Minority Leader that the member be dismissed and replaced.