The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct will hold a hearing on June 7, 2006 regarding possible changes to House rules governing gifts of travel
(including any transportation, lodging and meals during such travel) from private sources.
On May 3, 2006, the House of Representatives adopted, as amended, H.R. 4975, the “Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of2006.” The main provision of section 301 ofH.R. 4975, if enacted into law, would prohibit Members, officers, and employees of the House from accepting travel (or travel expense reimbursement) related to their official duties (including any transportation, lodging, and meals during such travel) from a private source, unless that source first obtains written certification from this Committee that the travel complies with applicable House rules. Another provision ofH.R. 4975 would prohibit the Committee from issuing any such certification during an interim period following enactment of the bill until the Committee reports recommendations on changes to the House travel rules.
Following the adoption of H.R. 4975, the Committee established a voluntary, interim procedure for certification of privately sponsored travel. The procedure is summarized in a Committee Advisory Memorandum dated May 10, 2006, which is available on the Committee’s website at www.house.gov/ethics.
The purpose of the June 7 Committee hearing is to assist the Committee in_ considering possible recommendations on changes to House travel rules by hearing from groups and individuals on a number of issues related to the rules.
Scheduled witnesses include Bradley Gordon, Director of Legislation for AIPAC, Chellie Pingree, President and CEO ofComtnon Cause, Rev. W. Douglas Tanner, President of the Faith & Politics Institute, Governor John Engler, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, and Michael Franc, a Vice President of the Heritage Foundation.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1 :00 p.m. in Room 1310 of the Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.