Legis Daily

The Public Service Accountability Act

USA119th CongressHR-9429| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
Maggie Goodlander

Maggie Goodlander

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (1)
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends chapter 131 of title 5 to establish comprehensive restrictions on the financial investments of a wide range of federal officials. It prohibits covered individuals , including Members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children, the President, Vice President, judicial officers, and various senior executive and confidential government employees, from directly or indirectly owning or trading covered investments . Covered investments encompass securities, commodities, futures, and comparable economic interests acquired through synthetic means like derivatives. However, the bill explicitly excludes certain assets from these restrictions, such as widely held diversified investment funds, U.S. Treasury bills, State or municipal bonds, compensation from a spouse's or dependent child's employer, interests in small businesses, and limited liability companies for personal residences. Upon the bill's enactment, current covered individuals must divest existing covered investments within 180 days, while those becoming covered individuals later have 90 days. Assets acquired through special circumstances, such as inheritance, also require divestment within 90 days. Notably, investments held in qualified blind trusts are not exempt and must also be divested. To facilitate compliance, the bill provides for certificates of divestiture , which can offer tax deferral benefits on capital gains from required sales. The supervising ethics office is responsible for issuing these certificates and providing interpretive guidance on the new subchapter's terms. Non-compliance with these restrictions carries significant penalties. Violators will face a fine equal to 10 percent of the value of the covered investment and must disgorge any profits from the prohibited transaction, with these funds payable to the U.S. Treasury. Importantly, Members of Congress are explicitly prohibited from using official allowances or campaign contributions to pay these penalties, and all assessed fines and their reasons will be publicly published.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Judiciary, 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.
  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Judiciary, 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.

The Public Service Accountability Act

USA119th CongressHR-9429| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
This bill amends chapter 131 of title 5 to establish comprehensive restrictions on the financial investments of a wide range of federal officials. It prohibits covered individuals , including Members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children, the President, Vice President, judicial officers, and various senior executive and confidential government employees, from directly or indirectly owning or trading covered investments . Covered investments encompass securities, commodities, futures, and comparable economic interests acquired through synthetic means like derivatives. However, the bill explicitly excludes certain assets from these restrictions, such as widely held diversified investment funds, U.S. Treasury bills, State or municipal bonds, compensation from a spouse's or dependent child's employer, interests in small businesses, and limited liability companies for personal residences. Upon the bill's enactment, current covered individuals must divest existing covered investments within 180 days, while those becoming covered individuals later have 90 days. Assets acquired through special circumstances, such as inheritance, also require divestment within 90 days. Notably, investments held in qualified blind trusts are not exempt and must also be divested. To facilitate compliance, the bill provides for certificates of divestiture , which can offer tax deferral benefits on capital gains from required sales. The supervising ethics office is responsible for issuing these certificates and providing interpretive guidance on the new subchapter's terms. Non-compliance with these restrictions carries significant penalties. Violators will face a fine equal to 10 percent of the value of the covered investment and must disgorge any profits from the prohibited transaction, with these funds payable to the U.S. Treasury. Importantly, Members of Congress are explicitly prohibited from using official allowances or campaign contributions to pay these penalties, and all assessed fines and their reasons will be publicly published.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Judiciary, 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.
  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Judiciary, 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.
Maggie Goodlander

Maggie Goodlander

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (1)
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted