House Members, officers, and employees are subject to specific laws and regulations regarding the acceptance of gifts, including gifts from other House Members and employees and from outside sources. However, Congress also recognizes that you will be offered gifts that do not raise any genuine ethical concerns, and has carved out a number of specific exceptions. In order for a House Member, officer, or employee to accept any gift from any source, it must meet one of these exceptions. For example, the House Gift Rule (House Rule 25, clause 5), permits the acceptance of certain gifts, such as food and refreshments, free attendance, gifts from relatives and personal friends, and travel, under certain circumstances.

For additional information or assistance with specific questions, contact the Committee’s Office of Advice and Education.

Gift Guidance

This section of the Ethics Manual describes the reasons the Gift Rule exists, how to determine if you may accept a gift, and what to do if you receive a gift you may not accept under the rules. The limitations on gifts come from many sources, including the Constitution, federal statutes, and the House Rules. These sources prohibit a Member, officer or employee from accepting any gift, at any time or place while paid by the House, unless the gift meets the criteria of one of the Gift Rule exceptions.

A Member, officer, or employee may not ask for a gift for themselves or someone else, even if they could otherwise accept it under a Gift Rule exception. The Committee does not apply this restriction to requesting gifts from relatives or establishing a gift registry for a special occasion, if the gifts are not for official activities.

A Member, officer, or employee may not accept gifts offered in exchange for official actions.

Go To Gifts Guidance

FAQs About Gifts

Below are answers to some common Gift Rule questions.

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Gift Waivers

You may need Committee approval to accept gifts from a personal friend valued at over $250, or for a special occasion like a wedding, birth, or death in the family. You may also need to disclose certain gifts on your Financial Disclosure Report or to the Committee, though you may request a waiver of these reporting requirements.

Waiver Forms

Gift Pink Sheets

On occasion, the Committee issues public guidance (called “pink sheets”) to summarize, clarify, update, or revise its gifts guidance.

Gifts Pink Sheets