103-255, at 3-4 (1994) (“t seems appropriate to single out registered lobbyists and foreign agents for special treatment, because this category includes people who are, by definition, in the business of seeking to influence the outcome of public policy decisions. on Gov’t Affairs, Congressional Gifts Reform Act, S. Legitimate concerns of favoritism or abuse of public position may be raised by disclosure of frequent or expensive gifts from representatives of special interests, or valuable gifts from anyone other than a relative or personal friend.”) S. 21, 1989) (hereinafter “ Bipartisan Task Force Report”) (“Regardless of any actual corruption or undue influence upon a Member or employee of Congress, the receipt of gifts or favors from private interests may affect public confidence in the integrity of the individual and in the institution of the Congress. 6 (Comm Print 1989), reprinted in 135 Cong.

At the moment a doubt arises as to propriety, the line should be drawn.”) House Bipartisan Task Force on Ethics, 101st Cong. The difficulty comes in drawing the line between the innocent or proper and that which is designing or improper. Even small gratuities can be significant if they are repeated and come to be expected. Print 1951) (“What is proper to offer to public officials, and what is it proper for them to receive?. on Labor and Public Welfare, 82d Cong., Ethical Standards in Government 23 (Comm. on the Establishment of a Comm’n on Ethics in Gov’t, Senate Comm. Over the years, both the House and Senate regularly recognized the concerns that arise from Members, officers, and employees accepting gifts.

16, 1989) (debate on Ethics Reform Act of 1989, quoting Paul Volcker, Chairman of the National Commission on the Public Service) United States v. However, Congress also recognizes that you will be offered gifts that do not raise any genuine ethical concerns, or that could cause needless embarrassment or hurt feelings if denied. The public has a right to expect that you are impartial in performing your official duties and are not influenced by gifts or favors. The federal government and the House of Representatives have long recognized that public office is a public trust. Exceptions to the Gift Rule for Permissible Gifts

No Bribes, Illegal Gratuities, or Thank You Gifts

Throughout this section and in other sections, this guidance refers to the “Gift Rule.” The “Gift Rule” means the gift provisions in the current Congress’s House Rule 25, clause 5.

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