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Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act

12/15/2023, 3:55 PM

Summary of Bill HR 1463

Bill 118 hr 1463, also known as the Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act, aims to address issues of ethics and accountability within the US Congress. The bill focuses on increasing transparency and reducing conflicts of interest among public officials.

One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a code of ethics for members of Congress, which outlines guidelines for ethical behavior and prohibits certain actions that could create conflicts of interest. This code of ethics would require members to disclose financial interests and recuse themselves from voting on legislation that could benefit them personally.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in lobbying activities. It requires lobbyists to disclose their activities and expenditures, as well as any contributions made to members of Congress. This information would be made publicly available to increase accountability and reduce the influence of special interests on legislative decisions. The Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act also includes provisions to strengthen enforcement mechanisms for ethics violations. It establishes an independent ethics office to investigate complaints and enforce the code of ethics, ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions. Overall, the bill aims to restore trust in public servants by promoting ethical behavior, increasing transparency, and reducing conflicts of interest within the US Congress. It represents a bipartisan effort to address concerns about ethics and accountability in government and to uphold the integrity of the legislative process.

Congressional Summary of HR 1463

Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act

This bill prohibits a public official or the spouse or dependent of a public official from owning or trading a covered investment. Any official who violates the prohibition is subject to a civil fine equal to the official's salary for each month that the official is in violation.

The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from receiving any outside income or having any outside employment while in office.

Further, the bill revises post-employment lobbying restrictions on former Members of Congress. Specifically, it makes permanent the post-employment lobbying ban on a former Member of the Senate (currently, two years) or a former Member of the House of Representatives (currently, one year).

Current Status of Bill HR 1463

Bill HR 1463 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 8, 2023. Bill HR 1463 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on March 8, 2023.  Bill HR 1463's most recent activity was Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, Oversight and Accountability, House Administration, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. as of March 8, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1463

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1463

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1463

Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act
Restoring Trust in Public Servants Act
To prohibit Federal officials from owning covered investments, and for other purposes.

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