FAQs

The senior staff rate for 2024 is $147,649.  For complete information, see here.

$31,815.  For complete information, see here.

In addition to the outside earned income limit, Members and senior staff may not receive an honorarium or compensation for performing fiduciary duties. Fiduciary positions include, but not are limited to, attorneys, accountants, architects, officers and directors of a company, consultants, and lobbyists. Members also may not allow their name to be used by entities performing fiduciary services. Some narrow exceptions apply for teaching, practicing medicine, performing religious ceremonies, and publishing books. Most exceptions require prior written authorizations from the Committee, see here.

No, paid social media influencing is a type of honorarium, a payment for a speech, article, or appearance. Members and senior staff are prohibited from receiving honoraria. See House Rule 25, cl. 4(b).

No, 18 U.S.C. § 203 prohibits all federal employees, including House staff, from accepting compensation for appearing before federal agencies or officials and in matters concerning the United States, like federal immigration matters.

Members, as well as officers and staff paid $130,500 or more for greater than 60 days must notify the Committee, in writing, within three business days after starting negotiations or entering into an agreement to accept private employment or compensation. Members, as well as officers and staff paid above this rate must submit the Notification of Negotiations or Agreement for Future Employment Form to fulfill this requirement. The Statement of Recusal Form should be filed at the same time if there is substantial overlap in the interest of a future employer with the Member, officer, or employee’s current position. For complete information, see here.

You are in negotiations when you have agreed to future employment or there has been a mutual expression of interest towards reaching an agreement for your future employment. For complete information, see Negotiations for Future Employment and Restrictions on Post-Employment for House Members and Officers or Negotiations for Future Employment and Restrictions on Post-Employment for House Staff.

For example, a corporation reaches out to you about a possible position, and after discussing the general requirements of the position, you tell the corporation that you are interested but have outstanding questions about work location and salary requirements.  Even if you have not received a formal offer from the corporation, you are in negotiations and must file the Notice of Negotiations with the Committee within three business days.

A recusal is accomplished by not participating in the matter.  If you are assigned an official matter that may affect your prospective employer’s financial interests, or you become aware of the need to recuse yourself, it is your responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure that you do not participate.  You must notify the Committee in writing of such recusal.  Members and senior staff must use the Statement of Recusal Form to submit to the Committee to fulfil this requirement.

For example, you are a professional staff member on the Appropriations Committee and in job negotiations with a federal contractor.  You are working on appropriations that may affect the federal contractor, along with a number of other federal contractors in a similar matter.  The federal contractor with whom you are negotiating would like to meet with you to discuss the appropriation.  Although you may not need to recuse from working on the appropriations generally, you must recuse from meeting with your potential future employer and file the Statement of Recusal if you have not yet done so.

Yes. You may accept gifts of meals, lodging, transportation, and other benefits and amenities customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions.  If you are a Financial Disclosure filer, you are required to disclose on Schedule H (“Travel and Travel Reimbursements”) any travel reimbursements exceeding $480 received from any source in connection with a job-search activity.

For 2023, the outside earned income limit was $31,815 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $141,022 for more than 90 days in 2023.

For 2022, the outside earned income limit was $29,895 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $135,468 for more than 90 days in 2022.

For 2021, the outside earned income limit was $29,595 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $132,552 for more than 90 days in 2021.

For 2020, the outside earned income limit was $28,845 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $131,239 for more than 90 days in 2020.

For 2019, the outside earned income limit was $28,440 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $127,914 for more than 90 days in 2019.

For 2018, the outside earned income limit was $28,050 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $126,148 for more than 90 days in 2018.

For 2017, the outside earned income limit was $27,765 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $124,406 for more than 90 days in 2017.

For 2016, the outside earned income limit was $27,495 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $123,175 for more than 90 days in 2016.

For 2015, the outside earned income limit was $27,225 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $121,956 for more than 90 days in 2015.

For 2014, the outside earned income limit was $26,955 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $120,749 for more than 90 days in 2014.

For 2013, the outside earned income limit was $26,955 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $119,553.60 for more than 90 days in 2013.

For 2012, the outside earned income limit was $26,955 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $119,553.60 for more than 90 days in 2012.

For 2011, the outside earned income limit was $26,955 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $119,553.60 for more than 90 days in 2011.

For 2010, the outside earned income limit was $26,550 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $119,533.60 for more than 90 days in 2010.

For 2009, the outside earned income limit was $26,550 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $117,787 for more than 90 days in 2009.

For 2008, the outside earned income limit was $25,830 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $114,468 for more than 90 days in 2008.

For 2007, the outside earned income limit was $25,200 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $111,675 for more than 90 days in 2007.

For 2006, the outside earned income limit was $24,780 for Members; and House officers and employees paid at or above the rate of $109,808 for more than 90 days in 2006.