Committee on House Administration, Ways and Means Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, known as the "Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act," aims to restrict financial activities of Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents. It establishes a new subchapter in title 5, United States Code, to prohibit these covered individuals from owning or trading specific covered financial instruments , which include securities, security futures, commodities, and comparable synthetic interests like derivatives. However, the legislation provides several exceptions, allowing covered individuals to own or trade widely held investment funds, U.S. Treasury bills, notes, or bonds, bonds issued by State or local governments, and investments under the Thrift Savings Plan. To comply with the prohibition, individuals must divest prohibited assets through sale or by placing them into a qualified blind trust within 90 days of the bill's enactment or becoming a covered individual. Special provisions apply for assets acquired without purchase or for spouses' employment compensation, also requiring divestment within 90 days. Qualified blind trusts established for compliance require prior approval from the supervising ethics office, and the trustee must divest assets within six months and certify annually that no information on trust assets or transactions has been provided to the covered individual. The bill also stipulates that losses from transactions violating these rules cannot be deducted for income tax purposes. Willful failure to comply can lead to a referral to the Attorney General, who may bring a civil action resulting in a penalty of up to $50,000, which cannot be paid using official or campaign funds.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Congress
Family relationshipsFinancial services and investmentsGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesMembers of CongressSecurities
Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act
USA119th CongressHR-253| House
| Updated: 1/9/2025
This bill, known as the "Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act," aims to restrict financial activities of Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents. It establishes a new subchapter in title 5, United States Code, to prohibit these covered individuals from owning or trading specific covered financial instruments , which include securities, security futures, commodities, and comparable synthetic interests like derivatives. However, the legislation provides several exceptions, allowing covered individuals to own or trade widely held investment funds, U.S. Treasury bills, notes, or bonds, bonds issued by State or local governments, and investments under the Thrift Savings Plan. To comply with the prohibition, individuals must divest prohibited assets through sale or by placing them into a qualified blind trust within 90 days of the bill's enactment or becoming a covered individual. Special provisions apply for assets acquired without purchase or for spouses' employment compensation, also requiring divestment within 90 days. Qualified blind trusts established for compliance require prior approval from the supervising ethics office, and the trustee must divest assets within six months and certify annually that no information on trust assets or transactions has been provided to the covered individual. The bill also stipulates that losses from transactions violating these rules cannot be deducted for income tax purposes. Willful failure to comply can lead to a referral to the Attorney General, who may bring a civil action resulting in a penalty of up to $50,000, which cannot be paid using official or campaign funds.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Committee on House Administration, Ways and Means Committee
Congress
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Family relationshipsFinancial services and investmentsGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesMembers of CongressSecurities