June 14, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES

FROM: Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

s/ Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Chairwoman

s/ Doc Hastings, Ranking Republican Member

SUBJECT: Amendment to House Rule XXV (the “gift rule”)

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On May 24, 2007, the House amended House Rule XXV, clause 5(a)(3)(Q) concerning the acceptance of offers of free attendance at charity events. See H. Res. 437. In view of the amendment, the Committee has revised its February 6, 2007 Advisory Memorandum on the gift rule amendments at the beginning of the 110^th Congress. As discussed in the revised memorandum, it is now permissible for Members and staff to accept a sponsor’s invitation to a charity event regardless of whether the sponsor retains or employs a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal. The Committee has also updated its Highlights Memorandum, and Members and staff who have attended one of the Committee’s ethics training sessions may wish to update the materials they received to reflect this recent amendment.

Please contact the Committee’s Office of Advice and Education at (202) 225-7103) with any questions about the effect of the amendment on any upcoming charity event you have been invited to attend.