i

RULES

COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

Adopted March 22, 2017

115th Congress

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
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COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

____________

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

____________

SUSAN W. BROOKS, Indiana, Chairwoman

PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania

TREY GOWDY, South Carolina

KENNY MARCHANT, Texas

LEONARD LANCE, New Jersey

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida, Ranking Member

YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York

JARED POLIS, Colorado

ANTHONY BROWN, Maryland

STEVE COHEN, Tennessee

____________

THOMAS A. RUST, Staff Director and Chief Counsel
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 CONTENTS

____________

RULES OF THE 

COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

PART I—GENERAL COMMITTEE RULES .............................................................. 1

Rule 1. General Provisions ................................................................................................ 1

Rule 2. Definitions............................................................................................................. 2

Rule 3. Advisory Opinions and Waivers ........................................................................... 3

Rule 4. Financial Disclosure .............................................................................................. 6

Rule 5. Meetings.............................................................................................................. 10

Rule 6. Committee Staff .................................................................................................. 11

Rule 7. Confidentiality..................................................................................................... 12

Rule 8. Subcommittees—General Policy and Structure .................................................. 14

Rule 9. Quorums and Member Disqualification .............................................................. 15

Rule 10. Vote Requirements............................................................................................ 16

Rule 11. Committee Records........................................................................................... 17

Rule 12. Broadcasts of Committee and Subcommittee Proceedings............................... 17

PART II—INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY.............................................................. 18

Rule 13. House Resolution .............................................................................................. 18

Rule 14. Committee Authority to Investigate—General Policy ...................................... 18

Rule 15. Complaints......................................................................................................... 19

Rule 16. Duties of Committee Chair and Ranking Minority Member ............................ 21

Rule 17. Processing of Complaints.................................................................................. 22

Rule 17A. Referrals from the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics ................... 23

Rule 18. Committee-Initiated Inquiry or Investigation.................................................... 27

Rule 19. Investigative Subcommittee .............................................................................. 28

Rule 20. Amendments to Statements of Alleged Violation............................................. 32

Rule 21. Committee Reporting Requirements................................................................. 32

Rule 22. Respondent’s Answer......................................................................................... 34

Rule 23. Adjudicatory Hearings ....................................................................................... 35

Rule 24. Sanction Hearing and Consideration of Sanctions............................................ 41

or Other Recommendations .............................................................................................. 41

Rule 25. Disclosure of Exculpatory Information to Respondent...................................... 43

Rule 26. Rights of Respondents and Witnesses................................................................ 44

Rule 27. Frivolous Filings................................................................................................. 47

Rule 28. Referrals to Federal or State Authorities............................................................ 47
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FOREWORD

The Committee on Ethics is unique in the House of Representatives. Consistent 

with the duty to carry out its advisory and enforcement responsibilities in an impartial 

manner, the Committee is the only standing committee of the House of Representatives the 

membership of which is divided evenly by party. These rules are intended to provide a fair 

procedural framework for the conduct of the Committee’s activities and to help ensure that 

the Committee serves well the people of the United States, the House of Representatives, 

and the Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives.

PART I—GENERAL COMMITTEE RULES

Rule 1. General Provisions

(a) So far as applicable, these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives 

shall be the rules of the Committee and any subcommittee. The Committee adopts these 

rules under the authority of clause 2(a)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, 115th Congress.

(b) The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or repealed by a vote 

of a majority of the Committee. 

(c) When the interests of justice so require, the Committee, by a majority vote of 

its members, may adopt any special procedures, not inconsistent with these rules, deemed 

necessary to resolve a particular matter before it. Copies of such special procedures shall 

be furnished to all parties in the matter.

(d) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member shall have access to such information 

that they request as necessary to conduct Committee business.
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Rule 2. Definitions

(a) “Committee” means the Committee on Ethics. 

(b) “Complaint” means a written allegation of improper conduct against a 

Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives filed with the Committee 

with the intent to initiate an inquiry.

(c) “Inquiry” means an investigation by an investigative subcommittee into 

allegations against a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives.

(d) “Investigate,” “Investigating,” and/or “Investigation” mean review of the 

conduct of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives that is 

conducted or authorized by the Committee, an investigative subcommittee, or the Chair 

and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.

(e) “Board” means the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics.

(f) “Referral” means a report sent to the Committee from the Board pursuant to 

House Rules and all applicable House Resolutions regarding the conduct of a House 

Member, officer, or employee, including any accompanying findings or other supporting 

documentation.

(g) “Investigative Subcommittee” means a subcommittee designated pursuant to 

Rule 19(a) to conduct an inquiry to determine if a Statement of Alleged Violation should 

be issued. 

(h) “Statement of Alleged Violation” means a formal charging document filed by 

an investigative subcommittee with the Committee containing specific allegations against 

a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives of a violation of the Code 

of Official Conduct, or of a law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable 

to the performance of official duties or the discharge of official responsibilities.
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(i) “Adjudicatory Subcommittee” means a subcommittee designated pursuant to 

Rule 23(a) that holds an adjudicatory hearing and determines whether the counts in a 

Statement of Alleged Violation are proved by clear and convincing evidence. 

(j) “Sanction Hearing” means a Committee hearing to determine what sanction, if 

any, to adopt or to recommend to the House of Representatives.

(k) “Respondent” means a Member, officer, or employee of the House of 

Representatives who is the subject of a complaint filed with the Committee or who is the 

subject of an inquiry or a Statement of Alleged Violation.

(l) “Office of Advice and Education” refers to the Office established by section 

803(i) of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. The Office handles inquiries; prepares written 

opinions in response to specific requests; develops general guidance; and organizes 

seminars, workshops, and briefings for the benefit of the House of Representatives.

(m) “Member” means a Representative in, or a Delegate to, or the Resident 

Commissioner to, the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rule 3. Advisory Opinions and Waivers

(a) The Office of Advice and Education shall handle inquiries; prepare written 

opinions providing specific advice, including reviews of requests for privately-sponsored 

travel pursuant to the Committee’s travel regulations; develop general guidance; and 

organize seminars, workshops, and briefings for the benefit of the House of 

Representatives.

(b) Any Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives may 

request a written opinion with respect to the propriety of any current or proposed conduct 

of such Member, officer, or employee.
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(c) The Office of Advice and Education may provide information and guidance 

regarding laws, rules, regulations, and other standards of conduct applicable to Members, 

officers, and employees in the performance of their duties or the discharge of their 

responsibilities.

(d) In general, the Committee shall provide a written opinion to an individual only 

in response to a written request, and the written opinion shall address the conduct only of 

the inquiring individual, or of persons for whom the inquiring individual is responsible as 

employing authority.

(e) A written request for an opinion shall be addressed to the Chair of the 

Committee and shall include a complete and accurate statement of the relevant facts. A 

request shall be signed by the requester or the requester’s authorized representative or 

employing authority. A representative shall disclose to the Committee the identity of the 

principal on whose behalf advice is being sought.

(f) Requests for privately-sponsored travel shall be treated like any other request 

for a written opinion for purposes of paragraphs (g) through (l).

(1) The Committee’s Travel Guidelines and Regulations shall govern the 

request submission and Committee approval process for privately-sponsored travel 

consistent with House Rules.

(2) A request for privately-sponsored travel of a Member, officer, or employee 

shall include a completed and signed Traveler Form that attaches the Private Sponsor 

Certification Form and includes all information required by the Committee’s travel 

regulations. A private sponsor offering officially-connected travel to a Member, officer, 

or employee must complete and sign a Private Sponsor Certification Form, and provide a 

copy of that form to the invitee(s). 
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(3) Any individual who knowingly and willfully falsifies, or who knowingly 

and willfully fails to file, a Traveler Form or Private Sponsor Certification Form may be 

subject to civil penalties and criminal sanctions pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1001.

(g) The Office of Advice and Education shall prepare for the Committee a 

response to each written request for an opinion from a Member, officer, or employee. Each 

response shall discuss all applicable laws, rules, regulations, or other standards.

(h) Where a request is unclear or incomplete, the Office of Advice and Education 

may seek additional information from the requester.

(i) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to take action on 

behalf of the Committee on any proposed written opinion that they determine does not 

require consideration by the Committee. If the Chair or Ranking Minority Member 

requests a written opinion, or seeks a waiver, extension, or approval pursuant to Rules 

3(m), 4(c), 4(e), or 4(h), the next ranking member of the requester’s party is authorized to 

act in lieu of the requester.

(j) The Committee shall keep confidential any request for advice from a Member, 

officer, or employee, as well as any response thereto. Upon request of any Member, officer, 

or employee who has submitted a written request for an opinion or submitted a request for 

privately-sponsored travel, the Committee may release to the requesting individual a copy 

of their own written request for advice or submitted travel forms, any subsequent written 

communications between such individual and Committee staff regarding the request, and 

any Committee advisory opinion or travel letter issued to that individual in response. The 

Committee shall not release any internal Committee staff work product, communications,

or notes in response to such a request, except as authorized by the Committee.
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(k) The Committee may take no adverse action in regard to any conduct that has 

been undertaken in reliance on a written opinion if the conduct conforms to the specific 

facts addressed in the opinion.

(l) Information provided to the Committee by a Member, officer, or employee 

seeking advice regarding prospective conduct may not be used as the basis for initiating an 

investigation under clause 3(a)(2) or clause 3(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, if such Member, officer, or employee acts in good faith in accordance 

with the written advice of the Committee.

(m) A written request for a waiver of clause 5 of House Rule XXV (the House gift 

rule), or for any other waiver or approval, shall be treated in all respects like any other 

request for a written opinion.

(n) A written request for a waiver of clause 5 of House Rule XXV (the House gift 

rule) shall specify the nature of the waiver being sought and the specific circumstances 

justifying the waiver.

(o) An employee seeking a waiver of time limits applicable to travel paid for by a 

private source shall include with the request evidence that the employing authority is aware 

of the request. In any other instance where proposed employee conduct may reflect on the 

performance of official duties, the Committee may require that the requester submit 

evidence that the employing authority knows of the conduct.

Rule 4. Financial Disclosure

(a) In matters relating to Title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the 

Committee shall coordinate with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Legislative 

Resource Center, to assure that appropriate individuals are notified of their obligation to 

file reports required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act and that such 
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individuals are provided in a timely fashion with filing instructions and forms developed 

by the Committee.

(b) The Committee shall coordinate with the Legislative Resource Center to assure 

that information that the Ethics in Government Act requires to be placed on the public 

record is made public.

(c) Any reports required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act 

filed by Members of the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics that are forwarded to 

the Committee by the Clerk shall not be subject to paragraphs (d) through (q) of this Rule. 

The Office of Congressional Ethics retains jurisdiction over review of the timeliness and 

completeness of filings by Members of the Board as the Board’s supervising ethics office.

(d) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to grant on behalf of 

the Committee requests for reasonable extensions of time for the filing of Financial 

Disclosure Statements. Any such request must be received by the Committee no later than 

the date on which the Statement in question is due. A request received after such date may 

be granted by the Committee only in extraordinary circumstances. Such extensions for one 

individual in a calendar year shall not exceed a total of 90 days. No extension shall be 

granted authorizing a nonincumbent candidate to file a statement later than 30 days prior 

to a primary or general election in which the candidate is participating.

(e) An individual who takes legally sufficient action to withdraw as a candidate 

before the date on which that individual’s Financial Disclosure Statement is due under the 

Ethics in Government Act shall not be required to file a Statement. An individual shall not 

be excused from filing a Financial Disclosure Statement when withdrawal as a candidate 

occurs after the date on which such Statement was due.
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(f) Any individual who files a report required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics 

in Government Act more than 30 days after the later of—

 (1) the date such report is required to be filed, or

 (2) if a filing extension is granted to such individual, the last day of the filing 

extension period, is required by such Act to pay a late filing fee of $200. The Chair and 

Ranking Minority Member are authorized to approve requests that the fee be waived based 

on extraordinary circumstances.

(g) Any late report that is submitted without a required filing fee shall be deemed 

procedurally deficient and not properly filed.

(h) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to approve requests 

for waivers of the aggregation and reporting of gifts as provided by section 102(a)(2)(C) 

of the Ethics in Government Act. If such a request is approved, both the incoming request 

and the Committee response shall be forwarded to the Legislative Resource Center for 

placement on the public record.

(i) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to approve blind trusts 

as qualifying under section 102(f)(3) of the Ethics in Government Act. The 

correspondence relating to formal approval of a blind trust, the trust document, the list of 

assets transferred to the trust, and any other documents required by law to be made public, 

shall be forwarded to the Legislative Resource Center for such purpose.

(j) The Committee shall designate staff who shall review reports required to be 

filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act and, based upon information contained 

therein, indicate in a form and manner prescribed by the Committee whether the Statement 

appears substantially accurate and complete and the filer appears to be in compliance with 

applicable laws and rules.
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(k) Each report required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act 

shall be reviewed within 60 days after the date of filing.

(l) If the reviewing staff believes that additional information is required because 

(1) the report required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act appears not 

substantially accurate or complete, or (2) the filer may not be in compliance with applicable 

laws or rules, then the reporting individual shall be notified in writing of the additional 

information believed to be required, or of the law or rule with which the reporting 

individual does not appear to be in compliance. Such notice shall also state the time within 

which a response is to be submitted. Any such notice shall remain confidential.

(m) Within the time specified, including any extension granted in accordance with 

clause (d), a reporting individual who concurs with the Committee’s notification that the 

report required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act is not complete, 

or that other action is required, shall submit the necessary information or take appropriate 

action. Any amendment may be in the form of a revised report required to be filed under 

Title I of the Ethics in Government Act or an explanatory letter addressed to the Clerk of 

the House of Representatives.

(n) Any amendment shall be placed on the public record in the same manner as 

other reports required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act. The 

individual designated by the Committee to review the original report required to be filed 

under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act shall review any amendment thereto.

(o) Within the time specified, including any extension granted in accordance with 

clause (d), a reporting individual who does not agree with the Committee that the report

required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act is deficient or that other 

action is required, shall be provided an opportunity to respond orally or in writing. If the 
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explanation is accepted, a copy of the response, if written, or a note summarizing an oral 

response, shall be retained in Committee files with the original report.

(p) The Committee shall be the final arbiter of whether any report required to be 

filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act requires clarification or amendment.

(q) If the Committee determines, by vote of a majority of its members, that there 

is reason to believe that an individual has willfully failed to file a report required to be filed 

under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act or has willfully falsified or willfully failed 

to file information required to be reported, then the Committee shall refer the name of the 

individual, together with the evidence supporting its finding, to the Attorney General 

pursuant to section 104(b) of the Ethics in Government Act. Such referral shall not 

preclude the Committee from initiating such other action as may be authorized by other 

provisions of law or the Rules of the House of Representatives.

Rule 5. Meetings

(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the second Tuesday of each 

month, except when the House of Representatives is not meeting on that day. When the 

Committee Chair determines that there is sufficient reason, meetings may be called on 

additional days. A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held when the Chair

determines there is no business to be considered. 

(b) The Chair shall establish the agenda for meetings of the Committee, and the 

Ranking Minority Member may place additional items on the agenda.

(c) All meetings of the Committee or any subcommittee shall occur in executive 

session unless the Committee or subcommittee, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its 

members, opens the meeting to the public.
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(d) Any hearing held by an adjudicatory subcommittee, or any sanction hearing 

held by the Committee, shall be open to the public unless the Committee or subcommittee, 

by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, closes the hearing to the public.

(e) A subcommittee shall meet at the discretion of its Chair.

(f) Insofar as practicable, notice for any Committee or subcommittee meeting shall 

be provided at least seven days in advance of the meeting. The Chair of the Committee or 

subcommittee may waive such time period for good cause.

Rule 6. Committee Staff

(a) The staff is to be assembled and retained as a professional, nonpartisan staff.

(b) Each member of the staff shall be professional and demonstrably qualified for 

the position for which the individual is hired.

(c) The staff as a whole and each individual member of the staff shall perform all 

official duties in a nonpartisan manner.

(d) No member of the staff shall engage in any partisan political activity directly 

affecting any congressional or presidential election.

(e) No member of the staff or outside counsel may accept public speaking 

engagements or write for publication on any subject that is in any way related to the 

employment or duties with the Committee of such individual without specific prior 

approval from the Chair and Ranking Minority Member. 

(f) All staff members shall be appointed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the 

members of the Committee. Such vote shall occur at the first meeting of the membership 

of the Committee during each Congress and as necessary during the Congress. 

(g) Subject to the approval of the Committee on House Administration, the 

Committee may retain counsel not employed by the House of Representatives whenever 
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the Committee determines, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 

Committee, that the retention of outside counsel is necessary and appropriate. 

(h) If the Committee determines that it is necessary to retain staff members for the 

purpose of a particular investigation or other proceeding, then such staff shall be retained 

only for the duration of that particular investigation or proceeding. 

(i) Outside counsel may be dismissed prior to the end of a contract between the 

Committee and such counsel only by a majority vote of the members of the Committee. 

(j) In addition to any other staff provided for by law, rule, or other authority, with 

respect to the Committee, the Chair and Ranking Minority Member each may appoint one 

individual as a shared staff member from the respective personal staff of the Chair or 

Ranking Minority Member to perform service for the Committee. Such shared staff may 

assist the Chair or Ranking Minority Member on any subcommittee on which the Chair or 

Ranking Minority Member serves. Only paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Rule and Rule 7(b) 

shall apply to shared staff. 

Rule 7. Confidentiality

(a) Before any Member or employee of the Committee, including members of an 

investigative subcommittee selected under clause 5(a)(4) of Rule X of the House of 

Representatives and shared staff designated pursuant to Committee Rule 6(j), may have 

access to information that is confidential under the rules of the Committee, the following 

oath (or affirmation) shall be executed in writing:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose, to any person or entity 

outside the Committee on Ethics, any information received in the course of my service with 

the Committee, except as authorized by the Committee or in accordance with its rules.”
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Copies of the executed oath shall be provided to the Clerk of the House as part of 

the records of the House. Breaches of confidentiality shall be investigated by the 

Committee and appropriate action shall be taken. 

(b) No member of the staff or outside counsel may make public, unless approved 

by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee, any information, 

document, or other material that is confidential, derived from executive session, or 

classified and that is obtained during the course of employment with the Committee.

(c) Committee members and staff shall not disclose any evidence relating to an 

investigation to any person or organization outside the Committee unless authorized by the 

Committee.

(d) Members and staff of the Committee shall not disclose to any person or 

organization outside the Committee, unless authorized by the Committee, any information

regarding the Committee’s or a subcommittee’s investigative, adjudicatory, or other 

proceedings, including but not limited to: (i) the fact or nature of any complaints; (ii) 

executive session proceedings; (iii) information pertaining to or copies of any Committee 

or subcommittee report, study or other document which purports to express the views, 

findings, conclusions or recommendations of the Committee or subcommittee in 

connection with any of its activities or proceedings; or (iv) any other information or 

allegation respecting the conduct of a Member, officer, or employee of the House. This 

rule shall not prohibit the Chair or Ranking Minority Member from disclosing to the Board 

of the Office of Congressional Ethics the existence of a Committee investigation, the name 

of the Member, officer or employee of the House who is the subject of that investigation, 

and a brief statement of the scope of that investigation in a written request for referral 

pursuant to Rule 17A(k). Such disclosures will only be made subject to written 
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confirmation from the Board that the information provided by the Chair or Ranking

Minority Member will be kept confidential by the Board.

(e) Except as otherwise specifically authorized by the Committee, no Committee 

member or staff member shall disclose to any person outside the Committee the name of 

any witness subpoenaed to testify or to produce evidence.

(f) Except as provided in Rule 17A, the Committee shall not disclose to any person 

or organization outside the Committee any information concerning the conduct of a 

respondent until it has transmitted a Statement of Alleged Violation to such respondent and 

the respondent has been given full opportunity to respond pursuant to Rule 22. The 

Statement of Alleged Violation and any written response thereto shall be made public at 

the first meeting or hearing on the matter that is open to the public after such opportunity 

has been provided. Any other materials in the possession of the Committee regarding such 

statement may be made public as authorized by the Committee to the extent consistent with 

the Rules of the House of Representatives. If no public hearing is held on the matter, the 

Statement of Alleged Violation and any written response thereto shall be included in the 

Committee’s final report on the matter to the House of Representatives.

(g) Unless otherwise determined by a vote of the Committee, only the Chair or 

Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, after consultation with each other, may make

public statements regarding matters before the Committee or any subcommittee.

(h) The Committee may establish procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized 

disclosure of any testimony or other information received by the Committee or its staff.

Rule 8. Subcommittees—General Policy and Structure

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, the Chair and Ranking 

Minority Member of the Committee may consult with an investigative subcommittee either 
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on their own initiative or on the initiative of the subcommittee, shall have access to 

evidence and information before a subcommittee with whom they so consult, and shall not 

thereby be precluded from serving as full, voting members of any adjudicatory 

subcommittee. Except for the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 

pursuant to this paragraph, evidence in the possession of an investigative subcommittee 

shall not be disclosed to other Committee members except by a vote of the subcommittee.

(b) The Committee may establish other noninvestigative and nonadjudicatory 

subcommittees and may assign to them such functions as it may deem appropriate. The 

membership of each subcommittee shall provide equal representation for the majority and 

minority parties.

(c) The Chair may refer any bill, resolution, or other matter before the Committee 

to an appropriate subcommittee for consideration. Any such bill, resolution, or other matter 

may be discharged from the subcommittee to which it was referred by a majority vote of 

the Committee. 

(d) Any member of the Committee may sit with any noninvestigative or 

nonadjudicatory subcommittee, but only regular members of such subcommittee may vote 

on any matter before that subcommittee. 

Rule 9. Quorums and Member Disqualification

(a) The quorum for the Committee or an investigative subcommittee to take 

testimony and to receive evidence shall be two members, unless otherwise authorized by 

the House of Representatives.

(b) The quorum for an adjudicatory subcommittee to take testimony, receive 

evidence, or conduct business shall consist of a majority plus one of the members of the 

adjudicatory subcommittee.
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(c) Except as stated in clauses (a) and (b) of this rule, a quorum for the purpose of

conducting business consists of a majority of the members of the Committee or 

subcommittee.

(d) A member of the Committee shall be ineligible to participate in any Committee 

or subcommittee proceeding in which such Member is the respondent.

(e) A member of the Committee may seek disqualification from participating in 

any investigation of the conduct of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of 

Representatives upon the submission in writing and under oath of an affidavit of 

disqualification stating that the member cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision. 

If the Committee approves and accepts such affidavit of disqualification, the Chair shall so 

notify the Speaker and ask the Speaker to designate a Member of the House of 

Representatives from the same political party as the disqualified member of the Committee 

to act as a member of the Committee in any Committee proceeding relating to such 

investigation.

Rule 10. Vote Requirements

(a) The following actions shall be taken only upon an affirmative vote of a majority 

of the members of the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate:

 (1) Issuing a subpoena.

 (2) Adopting a full Committee motion to create an investigative subcommittee.

 (3) Adopting or amending of a Statement of Alleged Violation. 

 (4) Finding that a count in a Statement of Alleged Violation has been proved by 

clear and convincing evidence.

 (5) Sending a letter of reproval.
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 (6) Adopting a recommendation to the House of Representatives that a sanction 

be imposed.

 (7) Adopting a report relating to the conduct of a Member, officer, or employee.

 (8) Issuing an advisory opinion of general applicability establishing new policy.

(b) Except as stated in clause (a), action may be taken by the Committee or any 

subcommittee thereof by a simple majority, a quorum being present.

(c) No motion made to take any of the actions enumerated in clause (a) of this Rule 

may be entertained by the Chair unless a quorum of the Committee is present when such 

motion is made.

Rule 11. Committee Records

(a) All communications and all pleadings pursuant to these rules shall be filed with 

the Committee at the Committee’s office or such other place as designated by the 

Committee. 

(b) All records of the Committee which have been delivered to the Archivist of the 

United States shall be made available to the public in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules 

of the House of Representatives. 

Rule 12. Broadcasts of Committee and Subcommittee Proceedings

(a) Television or radio coverage of a Committee or subcommittee hearing or 

meeting shall be without commercial sponsorship.

(b) Not more than four television cameras, operating from fixed positions, shall 

be permitted in a hearing or meeting room. The Committee may allocate the positions of 

permitted television cameras among the television media in consultation with the Executive 

Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries.
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(c) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to obstruct in any way the space 

between any witness giving evidence or testimony and any member of the Committee, or 

the visibility of that witness and that member to each other.

(d) Television cameras shall not be placed in positions that unnecessarily obstruct 

the coverage of the hearing or meeting by the other media.

PART II—INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY

Rule 13. House Resolution

Whenever the House of Representatives, by resolution, authorizes or directs the 

Committee to undertake an inquiry or investigation, the provisions of the resolution, in 

conjunction with these Rules, shall govern. To the extent the provisions of the resolution 

differ from these Rules, the resolution shall control.

Rule 14. Committee Authority to Investigate—General Policy

(a) Pursuant to clause 3(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, 

the Committee may exercise its investigative authority when:

 (1) information offered as a complaint by a Member of the House of 

Representatives is transmitted directly to the Committee;

 (2) information offered as a complaint by an individual not a Member of the 

House is transmitted to the Committee, provided that a Member of the House certifies in 

writing that such Member believes the information is submitted in good faith and warrants 

the review and consideration of the Committee;

 (3) the Committee, on its own initiative, undertakes an investigation; 

 (4) a Member, officer, or employee is convicted in a Federal, State, or local court 

of a felony; 
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 (5) the House of Representatives, by resolution, authorizes or directs the 

Committee to undertake an inquiry or investigation; or

 (6) a referral from the Board is transmitted to the Committee.

(b) The Committee also has investigatory authority over:

 (1) certain unauthorized disclosures of intelligence-related information, 

pursuant to House Rule X, clauses 11(g)(4) and (g)(5); and

 (2) reports received from the Office of the Inspector General pursuant to 

House Rule II, clause 6(c)(5). 

Rule 15. Complaints

(a) A complaint submitted to the Committee shall be in writing, dated, and properly 

verified (a document will be considered properly verified where a notary executes it with 

the language, “Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on (date) by (the name of the 

person))” setting forth in simple, concise, and direct statements—

 (1) the name and legal address of the party filing the complaint (hereinafter 

referred to as the “complainant”);

 (2) the name and position or title of the respondent;

 (3) the nature of the alleged violation of the Code of Official Conduct or of other 

law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the performance of duties 

or discharge of responsibilities; and

 (4) the facts alleged to give rise to the violation. The complaint shall not contain 

innuendo, speculative assertions, or conclusory statements.

(b) Any documents in the possession of the complainant that relate to the 

allegations may be submitted with the complaint.
20

(c) Information offered as a complaint by a Member of the House of 

Representatives may be transmitted directly to the Committee.

(d) Information offered as a complaint by an individual not a Member of the House 

may be transmitted to the Committee, provided that a Member of the House certifies in 

writing that such Member believes the information is submitted in good faith and warrants 

the review and consideration of the Committee.

(e) A complaint must be accompanied by a certification, which may be unsworn,

that the complainant has provided an exact copy of the filed complaint and all attachments 

to the respondent.

(f) The Committee may defer action on a complaint against a Member, officer, or 

employee of the House of Representatives when the complaint alleges conduct that the 

Committee has reason to believe is being reviewed by appropriate law enforcement or 

regulatory authorities, or when the Committee determines that it is appropriate for the 

conduct alleged in the complaint to be reviewed initially by law enforcement or regulatory 

authorities.

(g) A complaint may not be amended without leave of the Committee. Otherwise, 

any new allegations of improper conduct must be submitted in a new complaint that 

independently meets the procedural requirements of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives and the Committee’s Rules.

(h) The Committee shall not accept, and shall return to the complainant, any 

complaint submitted within the 60 days prior to an election in which the subject of the 

complaint is a candidate. 

(i) The Committee shall not consider a complaint, nor shall any investigation be 

undertaken by the Committee, of any alleged violation which occurred before the third 
21

previous Congress unless the Committee determines that the alleged violation is directly 

related to an alleged violation which occurred in a more recent Congress.

Rule 16. Duties of Committee Chair and Ranking Minority Member 

(a) Whenever information offered as a complaint is submitted to the Committee, 

the Chair and Ranking Minority Member shall have 14 calendar days or 5 legislative days, 

whichever occurs first, to determine whether the information meets the requirements of the 

Committee’s rules for what constitutes a complaint.

(b) Whenever the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly determine that

information submitted to the Committee meets the requirements of the Committee’s rules 

for what constitutes a complaint, they shall have 45 calendar days or 5 legislative days, 

whichever is later, after the date that the Chair and Ranking Minority Member determine 

that information filed meets the requirements of the Committee’s rules for what constitutes 

a complaint, unless the Committee by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members 

votes otherwise, to –

(1) recommend to the Committee that it dispose of the complaint, or any 

portion thereof, in any manner that does not require action by the House, which may 

include dismissal of the complaint or resolution of the complaint by a letter to the Member, 

officer, or employee of the House against whom the complaint is made; 

(2) establish an investigative subcommittee; or

(3) request that the Committee extend the applicable 45-calendar day period 

when they determine more time is necessary in order to make a recommendation under 

paragraph (1) or (2) of Rule 16(b). 

(c) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member may jointly gather additional 

information concerning alleged conduct which is the basis of a complaint or of information 
22

offered as a complaint until they have established an investigative subcommittee or the 

Chair or Ranking Minority Member has placed on the agenda the issue of whether to 

establish an investigative subcommittee.

(d) If the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly determine that information 

submitted to the Committee meets the requirements of the Committee rules for what 

constitutes a complaint, and the complaint is not disposed of within 45 calendar days or 5 

legislative days, whichever is later, and no additional 45-day extension is made, then they 

shall establish an investigative subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any portion 

thereof, to that subcommittee for its consideration. If at any time during the time period 

either the Chair or Ranking Minority Member places on the agenda the issue of whether to 

establish an investigative subcommittee, then an investigative subcommittee may be 

established only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee.

(e) Whenever the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly determine that 

information submitted to the Committee does not meet the requirements for what 

constitutes a complaint set forth in the Committee rules, they may (1) return the information 

to the complainant with a statement that it fails to meet the requirements for what 

constitutes a complaint set forth in the Committee’s rules; or (2) recommend to the 

Committee that it authorize the establishment of an investigative subcommittee. 

Rule 17. Processing of Complaints

(a) If a complaint is in compliance with House and Committee Rules, a copy of the 

complaint and the Committee Rules shall be forwarded to the respondent within 5 days 

with notice that the complaint conforms to the applicable rules.

(b) The respondent may, within 30 days of the Committee’s notification, provide 

to the Committee any information relevant to a complaint filed with the Committee. The 
23

respondent may submit a written statement in response to the complaint. Such a statement

shall be signed by the respondent. If the statement is prepared by counsel for the 

respondent, the respondent shall sign a representation that the respondent has reviewed the 

response and agrees with the factual assertions contained therein. 

(c) The Committee staff may request information from the respondent or obtain 

additional information relevant to the case from other sources prior to the establishment of 

an investigative subcommittee only when so directed by the Chair and Ranking Minority

Member. 

(d) The respondent shall be notified in writing regarding the Committee’s decision 

either to dismiss the complaint or to create an investigative subcommittee.

Rule 17A. Referrals from the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics 

(a) The Committee has exclusive jurisdiction over the interpretation, 

administration, and enforcement of the Code of Official Conduct pursuant to clause 1(g) 

of House Rule X. Receipt of referrals from the Board under this rule does not limit the 

Committee’s discretion to address referrals in any way through the appropriate procedures 

authorized by Committee Rules. The Committee shall review the report and findings 

transmitted by the Board without prejudice or presumptions as to the merit of the 

allegations. 

(b)(1) Whenever the Committee receives either (A) a referral containing a written 

report and any findings and supporting documentation from the Board; or (B) a referral 

from the Board pursuant to a request under Rule 17A(k), the Chair shall have 45 calendar 

days or 5 legislative days after the date the referral is received, whichever is later, to make 

public the report and findings of the Board unless the Chair and Ranking Minority Member 
24

jointly decide, or the Committee votes, to withhold such information for not more than one 

additional 45-day period.

(2) At least one calendar day before the Committee makes public any report and 

findings of the Board, the Chair shall notify in writing the Board and the Member, officer, 

or employee who is the subject of the referral of the impending public release of these 

documents. At the same time, the Chair shall transmit a copy of any public statement on 

the Committee’s disposition of the matter and any accompanying Committee report to the 

individual who is the subject of the referral.

(3) All public statements and reports and findings of the Board that are required to 

be made public under this Rule shall be posted on the Committee’s website.

(c) If the OCE report and findings are withheld for an additional 45-day period 

pursuant to paragraph (b)(1), the Chair shall—

(1) make a public statement on the day of such decision or vote that the matter 

referred from the Board has been extended; and

(2) make public the written report and findings pursuant to paragraph (b) upon the 

termination of such additional period.

(d) If the Board transmits a report with a recommendation to dismiss or noting a 

matter as unresolved due to a tie vote, and the matter is extended for an additional period 

as provided in paragraph (b), the Committee is not required to make a public statement that 

the matter has been extended pursuant to paragraph (b)(1).

(e) If the Committee votes to dismiss a matter referred from the Board, the 

Committee is not required to make public the written report and findings of the Board 

pursuant to paragraph (c) unless the Committee’s vote is inconsistent with the 

recommendation of the Board. A vote by the Committee to dismiss a matter is not 
25

considered inconsistent with a report from the Board that the matter is unresolved by the 

Board due to a tie vote.

(f) Except as provided by paragraph (g):

(1) If the Committee establishes an investigative subcommittee respecting any 

matter referred by the Board, then the report and findings of the Board shall not be made 

public until the conclusion of the investigative subcommittee process. The Committee 

shall issue a public statement noting the establishment of an investigative subcommittee, 

which shall include the name of the Member, officer, or employee who is the subject of the 

inquiry, and shall set forth the alleged violation.

(2) If any such investigative subcommittee does not conclude its review within 

one year after the Board’s referral, then the Committee shall make public the report of the 

Board no later than one year after the referral. If the investigative subcommittee does not 

conclude its review before the end of the Congress in which the report of the Board is made 

public, the Committee shall make public any findings of the Board on the last day of that 

Congress. 

(g) If the vote of the Committee is a tie or the Committee fails to act by the close 

of any applicable period(s) under this rule, the report and the findings of the Board shall be 

made public by the Committee, along with a public statement by the Chair explaining the 

status of the matter. 

(h)(1) If the Committee agrees to a request from an appropriate law enforcement 

or regulatory authority to defer taking action on a matter referred by the Board under 

paragraph (b) – 

(A) The Committee is not required to make public the written report and findings 

of the Board pursuant to paragraph (c), except that if the recommendation of the Board is 
26

that the matter requires further review, the Committee shall make public the written report 

of the Board but not the findings; and 

(B) The Committee shall make a public statement that it is deferring taking action 

on the matter at the request of such law enforcement or regulatory authority within one day 

(excluding weekends and public holidays) of the day that the Committee agrees to the 

request. 

(2) If the Committee has not acted on the matter within one year of the date the 

public statement described in paragraph (h)(1)(B) is released, the Committee shall make a

public statement that it continues to defer taking action on the matter. The Committee shall 

make a new statement upon the expiration of each succeeding one-year period during 

which the Committee has not acted on the matter. 

(i) The Committee shall not accept, and shall return to the Board, any referral from 

the Board within 60 days before a Federal, State, or local election in which the subject of 

the referral is a candidate. 

(j) The Committee may postpone any reporting requirement under this rule that 

falls within that 60-day period until after the date of the election in which the subject of the 

referral is a candidate. For purposes of calculating any applicable period under this Rule, 

any days within the 60-day period before such an election shall not be counted.

(k)(1) At any time after the Committee receives written notification from the Board 

of the Office of Congressional Ethics that the Board is undertaking a review of alleged 

conduct of any Member, officer, or employee of the House at a time when the Committee 

is investigating, or has completed an investigation of the same matter, the Committee may 

so notify the Board in writing and request that the Board cease its review and refer the 

matter to the Committee for its consideration immediately. The Committee shall also 
27

notify the Board in writing if the Committee has not reached a final resolution of the matter 

or has not referred the matter to the appropriate Federal or State authorities by the end of 

any applicable time period specified in Rule 17A (including any permissible extension). 

(2) The Committee may not request a second referral of the matter from the Board 

if the Committee has notified the Board that it is unable to resolve the matter previously 

requested pursuant to this section. The Board may subsequently send a referral regarding 

a matter previously requested and returned by the Committee after the conclusion of the 

Board’s review process.

Rule 18. Committee-Initiated Inquiry or Investigation

(a) Notwithstanding the absence of a filed complaint, the Committee may consider 

any information in its possession indicating that a Member, officer, or employee may have 

committed a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other 

standard of conduct applicable to the conduct of such Member, officer, or employee in the 

performance of the duties or the discharge of the responsibilities of such individual. The 

Chair and Ranking Minority Member may jointly gather additional information concerning 

such an alleged violation by a Member, officer, or employee unless and until an 

investigative subcommittee has been established. The Chair and Ranking Minority 

Member may also jointly take appropriate action consistent with Committee Rules to 

resolve the matter.

(b) If the Committee votes to establish an investigative subcommittee, the 

Committee shall proceed in accordance with Rule 19.

(c) Any written request by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of 

Representatives that the Committee conduct an investigation into such person’s own 

conduct shall be considered in accordance with subsection (a) of this Rule.
28

(d) An inquiry shall not be undertaken regarding any alleged violation that 

occurred before the third previous Congress unless a majority of the Committee determines 

that the alleged violation is directly related to an alleged violation that occurred in a more 

recent Congress.

(e)(1) An inquiry shall be undertaken by an investigative subcommittee with 

regard to any felony conviction of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of 

Representatives in a Federal, State, or local court who has been sentenced. 

Notwithstanding this provision, the Committee has the discretion to initiate an inquiry upon 

an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee at any time prior to

conviction or sentencing. 

(2) Not later than 30 days after a Member of the House is indicted or otherwise 

formally charged with criminal conduct in any Federal, State, or local court, the Committee 

shall either initiate an inquiry upon a majority vote of the members of the Committee or 

submit a report to the House describing its reasons for not initiating an inquiry and 

describing the actions, if any, that the Committee has taken in response to the allegations.

Rule 19. Investigative Subcommittee

(a)(1) Upon the establishment of an investigative subcommittee, the Chair and 

Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall designate four members (with equal 

representation from the majority and minority parties) to serve as an investigative 

subcommittee to undertake an inquiry. Members of the Committee and Members of the 

House selected pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A) of Rule X of the House of Representatives 

are eligible for appointment to an investigative subcommittee, as determined by the Chair

and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. At the time of appointment, the Chair

shall designate one member of the subcommittee to serve as the Chair and the Ranking 
29

Minority Member shall designate one member of the subcommittee to serve as the ranking 

minority member of the investigative subcommittee. The Chair and Ranking Minority 

Member of the Committee may serve as members of an investigative subcommittee, but 

may not serve as non-voting, ex-officio members.

(2) The respondent shall be notified of the membership of the investigative

subcommittee and shall have 10 days after such notice is transmitted to object to the 

participation of any subcommittee member. Such objection shall be in writing and must 

be on the grounds that the subcommittee member cannot render an impartial and unbiased 

decision. The members of the Committee shall engage in a collegial discussion regarding 

such objection. The subcommittee member against whom the objection is made shall be 

the sole judge of any disqualification and may choose to seek disqualification from 

participating in the inquiry pursuant to Rule 9(e).

(b) In an inquiry undertaken by an investigative subcommittee—

 (1) All proceedings, including the taking of testimony, shall be conducted in 

executive session and all testimony taken by deposition or things produced pursuant to 

subpoena or otherwise shall be deemed to have been taken or produced in executive 

session.

 (2) The Chair of the investigative subcommittee shall ask the respondent and all 

witnesses whether they intend to be represented by counsel. If so, the respondent or 

witnesses or their legal representatives shall provide written designation of counsel. A 

respondent or witness who is represented by counsel shall not be questioned in the absence 

of counsel unless an explicit waiver is obtained.
30

(3) The subcommittee shall provide the respondent an opportunity to present, 

orally or in writing, a statement, which must be under oath or affirmation, regarding the 

allegations and any other relevant questions arising out of the inquiry.

(4) The staff may interview witnesses, examine documents and other evidence, 

and request that submitted statements be under oath or affirmation and that documents be 

certified as to their authenticity and accuracy.

(5) The subcommittee, by a majority vote of its members, may require, by 

subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of 

such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, and other items as 

it deems necessary to the conduct of the inquiry. Unless the Committee otherwise provides, 

the subpoena power shall rest in the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 

and a subpoena shall be issued upon the request of the investigative subcommittee.

 (6) The subcommittee shall require that testimony be given under oath or 

affirmation. The form of the oath or affirmation shall be: “Do you solemnly swear (or 

affirm) that the testimony you will give before this subcommittee in the matter now under 

consideration will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (so help you 

God)?” The oath or affirmation shall be administered by the Chair or subcommittee 

member designated by the Chair to administer oaths.

(c) During the inquiry, the procedure respecting the admissibility of evidence and 

rulings shall be as follows:

 (1) Any relevant evidence shall be admissible unless the evidence is privileged 

under the precedents of the House of Representatives.

 (2) The Chair of the subcommittee or other presiding member at any 

investigative subcommittee proceeding shall rule upon any question of admissibility or 
31

relevance of evidence, motion, procedure, or any other matter, and may direct any witness 

to answer any question under penalty of contempt. A witness, witness counsel, or a 

member of the subcommittee may appeal any rulings to the members present at that 

proceeding. A majority vote of the members present at such proceeding on such appeal 

shall govern the question of admissibility, and no appeal shall lie to the Committee.

 (3) Whenever a person is determined by a majority vote to be in contempt of the 

subcommittee, the matter may be referred to the Committee to determine whether to refer 

the matter to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 (4) Committee counsel may, subject to subcommittee approval, enter into 

stipulations with the respondent and/or the respondent’s counsel as to facts that are not in 

dispute.

(d) Upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the subcommittee members, and an 

affirmative vote of a majority of the full Committee, an investigative subcommittee may 

expand the scope of its inquiry.

(e) Upon completion of the inquiry, the staff shall draft for the investigative 

subcommittee a report that shall contain a comprehensive summary of the information 

received regarding the alleged violations.

(f) Upon completion of the inquiry, an investigative subcommittee, by a majority 

vote of its members, may adopt a Statement of Alleged Violation if it determines that there 

is substantial reason to believe that a violation of the Code of Official Conduct, or of a law, 

rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the performance of official 

duties or the discharge of official responsibilities by a Member, officer, or employee of the 

House of Representatives has occurred. If more than one violation is alleged, such 

Statement shall be divided into separate counts. Each count shall relate to a separate 
32

violation, shall contain a plain and concise statement of the alleged facts of such violation, 

and shall include a reference to the provision of the Code of Official Conduct or law, rule, 

regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct governing the performance of duties or 

discharge of responsibilities alleged to have been violated. A copy of such Statement shall 

be transmitted to the respondent and the respondent’s counsel.

(g) If the investigative subcommittee does not adopt a Statement of Alleged 

Violation, it shall transmit to the Committee a report containing a summary of the 

information received in the inquiry, its conclusions and reasons therefore, and any 

appropriate recommendation. 

Rule 20. Amendments to Statements of Alleged Violation

(a) An investigative subcommittee may, upon an affirmative vote of a majority of 

its members, amend its Statement of Alleged Violation anytime before the Statement of 

Alleged Violation is transmitted to the Committee; and

(b) If an investigative subcommittee amends its Statement of Alleged Violation, 

the respondent shall be notified in writing and shall have 30 calendar days from the date of 

that notification to file an answer to the amended Statement of Alleged Violation. 

Rule 21. Committee Reporting Requirements

(a) Whenever an investigative subcommittee does not adopt a Statement of Alleged 

Violation and transmits a report to that effect to the Committee, the Committee may by an 

affirmative vote of a majority of its members transmit such report to the House of 

Representatives; 

(b) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a Statement of Alleged 

Violation but recommends that no further action be taken, it shall transmit a report to the 

Committee regarding the Statement of Alleged Violation; and
33

(c) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a Statement of Alleged 

Violation, the respondent admits to the violations set forth in such Statement, the 

respondent waives the right to an adjudicatory hearing, and the respondent’s waiver is 

approved by the Committee—

(1) the subcommittee shall prepare a report for transmittal to the Committee, a 

final draft of which shall be provided to the respondent not less than 15 calendar days 

before the subcommittee votes on whether to adopt the report;

(2) the respondent may submit views in writing regarding the final draft to the 

subcommittee within 7 calendar days of receipt of that draft;

(3) the subcommittee shall transmit a report to the Committee regarding the 

Statement of Alleged Violation together with any views submitted by the respondent 

pursuant to subparagraph (2), and the Committee shall make the report, together with the 

respondent’s views, available to the public before the commencement of any sanction 

hearing; and

(4) the Committee shall by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members 

issue a report and transmit such report to the House of Representatives, together with the 

respondent’s views previously submitted pursuant to subparagraph (2) and any additional 

views respondent may submit for attachment to the final report; and

(d) Members of the Committee shall have not less than 72 hours to review any 

report transmitted to the Committee by an investigative subcommittee before both the 

commencement of a sanction hearing and the Committee vote on whether to adopt the 

report.
34

Rule 22. Respondent’s Answer

(a)(1) Within 30 days from the date of transmittal of a Statement of Alleged 

Violation, the respondent shall file with the investigative subcommittee an answer, in 

writing and under oath, signed by respondent and respondent’s counsel. Failure to file an

answer within the time prescribed shall be considered by the Committee as a denial of each 

count.

 (2) The answer shall contain an admission to or denial of each count set forth in 

the Statement of Alleged Violation and may include negative, affirmative, or alternative 

defenses and any supporting evidence or other relevant information.

(b) The respondent may file a Motion for a Bill of Particulars within 10 days of the 

date of transmittal of the Statement of Alleged Violation. If a Motion for a Bill of 

Particulars is filed, the respondent shall not be required to file an answer until 20 days after 

the subcommittee has replied to such motion.

(c)(1) The respondent may file a Motion to Dismiss within 10 days of the date of 

transmittal of the Statement of Alleged Violation or, if a Motion for a Bill of Particulars 

has been filed, within 10 days of the date of the subcommittee’s reply to the Motion for a 

Bill of Particulars. If a Motion to Dismiss is filed, the respondent shall not be required to 

file an answer until 20 days after the subcommittee has replied to the Motion to Dismiss, 

unless the respondent previously filed a Motion for a Bill of Particulars, in which case the 

respondent shall not be required to file an answer until 10 days after the subcommittee has 

replied to the Motion to Dismiss. The investigative subcommittee shall rule upon any 

motion to dismiss filed during the period between the establishment of the subcommittee 

and the subcommittee’s transmittal of a report or Statement of Alleged Violation to the 
35

Committee or to the Chair and Ranking Minority Member at the conclusion of an inquiry,

and no appeal of the subcommittee’s ruling shall lie to the Committee.

 (2) A Motion to Dismiss may be made on the grounds that the Statement of 

Alleged Violation fails to state facts that constitute a violation of the Code of Official 

Conduct or other applicable law, rule, regulation, or standard of conduct, or on the grounds 

that the Committee lacks jurisdiction to consider the allegations contained in the Statement.

(d) Any motion filed with the subcommittee pursuant to this rule shall be 

accompanied by a Memorandum of Points and Authorities.

(e)(1) The Chair of the investigative subcommittee, for good cause shown, may 

permit the respondent to file an answer or motion after the day prescribed above.

 (2) If the ability of the respondent to present an adequate defense is not adversely 

affected and special circumstances so require, the Chair of the investigative subcommittee 

may direct the respondent to file an answer or motion prior to the day prescribed above.

(f) If the day on which any answer, motion, reply, or other pleading must be filed 

falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, such filing shall be made on the first business day 

thereafter.

(g) As soon as practicable after an answer has been filed or the time for such filing 

has expired, the Statement of Alleged Violation and any answer, motion, reply, or other 

pleading connected therewith shall be transmitted by the Chair of the investigative 

subcommittee to the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.

Rule 23. Adjudicatory Hearings

(a) If a Statement of Alleged Violation is transmitted to the Chair and Ranking 

Minority Member pursuant to Rule 22, and no waiver pursuant to Rule 26(b) has occurred, 

the Chair shall designate the members of the Committee who did not serve on the 
36

investigative subcommittee to serve on an adjudicatory subcommittee. The Chair and 

Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall be the Chair and Ranking Minority 

Member of the adjudicatory subcommittee unless they served on the investigative 

subcommittee. The respondent shall be notified of the designation of the adjudicatory 

subcommittee and shall have 10 days after such notice is transmitted to object to the 

participation of any subcommittee member. Such objection shall be in writing and shall 

be on the grounds that the member cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision. The 

members of the Committee shall engage in a collegial discussion regarding such objection. 

The member against whom the objection is made shall be the sole judge of any 

disqualification and may choose to seek disqualification from serving on the subcommittee 

pursuant to Rule 9(e).

(b) A majority of the adjudicatory subcommittee membership plus one must be 

present at all times for the conduct of any business pursuant to this rule.

(c) The adjudicatory subcommittee shall hold a hearing to determine whether any 

counts in the Statement of Alleged Violation have been proved by clear and convincing 

evidence and shall make findings of fact, except where such violations have been admitted 

by respondent.

(d) The subcommittee may require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 

testimony of such witnesses and production of such books, records, correspondence, 

memoranda, papers, documents, and other items as it deems necessary. A subpoena for 

documents may specify terms of return other than at a meeting or hearing of the 

subcommittee. Depositions, interrogatories, and sworn statements taken under any 

investigative subcommittee direction may be accepted into the hearing record.
37

(e) The procedures set forth in clause 2(g)(1)-(4), (6)-(7) and (k) of Rule XI of the 

Rules of the House of Representatives shall apply to adjudicatory hearings. All such 

hearings shall be open to the public unless the adjudicatory subcommittee, pursuant to such 

clause, determines that the hearings or any part thereof should be closed.

(f)(1) The adjudicatory subcommittee shall, in writing, notify the respondent that 

the respondent and respondent’s counsel have the right to inspect, review, copy, or 

photograph books, papers, documents, photographs, or other tangible objects that 

committee counsel intends to use as evidence against the respondent in an adjudicatory 

hearing. The respondent shall be given access to such evidence, and shall be provided the 

names of witnesses committee counsel intends to call, and a summary of their expected 

testimony, no less than 15 calendar days prior to any such hearing. Except in extraordinary 

circumstances, no evidence may be introduced or witness called in an adjudicatory hearing 

unless the respondent has been afforded a prior opportunity to review such evidence or has 

been provided the name of the witness.

 (2) After a witness has testified on direct examination at an adjudicatory hearing, 

the Committee, at the request of the respondent, shall make available to the respondent any 

statement of the witness in the possession of the Committee which relates to the subject 

matter as to which the witness has testified.

 (3) Any other testimony, statement, or documentary evidence in the possession 

of the Committee which is material to the respondent’s defense shall, upon request, be 

made available to the respondent.

(g) No less than 5 days prior to the hearing, the respondent or counsel shall provide 

the adjudicatory subcommittee with the names of witnesses expected to be called, 
38

summaries of their expected testimony, and copies of any documents or other evidence 

proposed to be introduced.

(h) The respondent or counsel may apply to the subcommittee for the issuance of 

subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses or the production of evidence. The application 

shall be granted upon a showing by the respondent that the proposed testimony or evidence 

is relevant and not otherwise available to respondent. The application may be denied if not 

made at a reasonable time or if the testimony or evidence would be merely cumulative.

(i) No later than two weeks or 5 legislative days after the Chair of the Committee 

designates members to serve on an adjudicatory subcommittee, whichever is later, the 

Chair of the adjudicatory subcommittee shall establish a schedule and procedure for the 

hearing and for prehearing matters. The procedures may be changed either by the Chair of 

the adjudicatory subcommittee or a by a majority vote of the members of the subcommittee. 

If the Chair makes prehearing rulings upon any question of admissibility or relevance of 

evidence, motion, procedure, or any other matter, the Chair shall make available those 

rulings to all subcommittee members at the time of the ruling.

(j) The procedures regarding the admissibility of evidence and rulings shall be as 

follows:

 (1) Any relevant evidence shall be admissible unless the evidence is privileged 

under the precedents of the House of Representatives.

 (2) The Chair of the subcommittee or other presiding member at an adjudicatory 

subcommittee hearing shall rule upon any question of admissibility or relevance of 

evidence, motion, procedure, or any other matter, and may direct any witness to answer 

any question under penalty of contempt. A witness, witness counsel, or a member of the 

subcommittee may appeal any ruling to the members present at that proceeding. A majority 
39

vote of the members present at such proceeding on such an appeal shall govern the question 

of admissibility and no appeal shall lie to the Committee.

 (3) Whenever a witness is deemed by a Chair or other presiding member to be 

in contempt of the subcommittee, the matter may be referred to the Committee to determine 

whether to refer the matter to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 (4) Committee counsel may, subject to subcommittee approval, enter into 

stipulations with the respondent and/or the respondent’s counsel as to facts that are not in 

dispute.

(k) Unless otherwise provided, the order of an adjudicatory hearing shall be as 

follows:

 (1) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee shall open 

the hearing with equal time and during which time, the Chair shall state the adjudicatory 

subcommittee’s authority to conduct the hearing and the purpose of the hearing.

 (2) The Chair shall then recognize Committee counsel and the respondent’s 

counsel, in turn, for the purpose of giving opening statements.

 (3) Testimony from witnesses and other relevant evidence shall be received in 

the following order whenever possible:

 (i) witnesses (deposition transcripts and affidavits obtained during the inquiry 

may be used in lieu of live witnesses) and other evidence offered by the Committee counsel,

 (ii) witnesses and other evidence offered by the respondent,

 (iii) rebuttal witnesses, as permitted by the Chair.

 (4) Witnesses at a hearing shall be examined first by counsel calling such 

witness. The opposing counsel may then cross-examine the witness. Redirect examination 

and recross examination by counsel may be permitted at the Chair’s discretion. 
40

Subcommittee members may then question witnesses. Unless otherwise directed by the 

Chair, questions by Subcommittee members shall be conducted under the five-minute rule.

 (5) The Chair shall then recognize Committee counsel and respondent’s counsel, 

in turn, for the purpose of giving closing arguments. Committee counsel may reserve time 

for rebuttal argument, as permitted by the Chair.

(l) A subpoena to a witness to appear at a hearing shall be served sufficiently in 

advance of that witness’ scheduled appearance to allow the witness a reasonable period of 

time, as determined by the Chair of the adjudicatory subcommittee, to prepare for the 

hearing and to employ counsel.

(m) Each witness appearing before the subcommittee shall be furnished a printed 

copy of the Committee rules, the relevant provisions of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives applicable to the rights of witnesses, and a copy of the Statement of 

Alleged Violation.

(n) Testimony of all witnesses shall be taken under oath or affirmation. The form 

of the oath or affirmation shall be: “Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the testimony 

you will give before this subcommittee in the matter now under consideration will be the 

truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (so help you God)?” The oath or 

affirmation shall be administered by the Chair or Committee member designated by the 

Chair to administer oaths.

(o) At an adjudicatory hearing, the burden of proof rests on Committee counsel to 

establish the facts alleged in the Statement of Alleged Violation by clear and convincing 

evidence. However, Committee counsel need not present any evidence regarding any 

count that is admitted by the respondent or any fact stipulated. Committee counsel or 

respondent’s counsel may move the adjudicatory subcommittee to make a finding that there 
41

is no material fact at issue. If the adjudicatory subcommittee finds that there is no material 

fact at issue, the burden of proof will be deemed satisfied.

(p) As soon as practicable after all testimony and evidence have been presented, 

the subcommittee shall consider each count contained in the Statement of Alleged 

Violation and shall determine by a majority vote of its members whether each count has 

been proved. If a majority of the subcommittee does not vote that a count has been proved, 

a motion to reconsider that vote may be made only by a member who voted that the count 

was not proved. A count that is not proved shall be considered as dismissed by the 

subcommittee.

(q) The findings of the adjudicatory subcommittee shall be reported to the 

Committee.

Rule 24. Sanction Hearing and Consideration of Sanctions

or Other Recommendations

(a) If no count in a Statement of Alleged Violation is proved, the Committee shall 

prepare a report to the House of Representatives, based upon the report of the adjudicatory 

subcommittee.

(b) If an adjudicatory subcommittee completes an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to 

Rule 23 and reports that any count of the Statement of Alleged Violation has been proved, 

a hearing before the Committee shall be held to receive oral and/or written submissions by 

counsel for the Committee and counsel for the respondent as to the sanction the Committee 

should recommend to the House of Representatives with respect to such violations. 

Testimony by witnesses shall not be heard except by written request and vote of a majority 

of the Committee.
42

(c) Upon completion of any proceeding held pursuant to clause (b), the Committee 

shall consider and vote on a motion to recommend to the House of Representatives that the 

House take disciplinary action. If a majority of the Committee does not vote in favor of 

the recommendation that the House of Representatives take action, a motion to reconsider 

that vote may be made only by a member who voted against the recommendation. The 

Committee may also, by majority vote, adopt a motion to issue a Letter of Reproval or take 

other appropriate Committee action.

(d) If the Committee determines a Letter of Reproval constitutes sufficient action, 

the Committee shall include any such letter as a part of its report to the House of 

Representatives.

(e) With respect to any proved counts against a Member of the House of 

Representatives, the Committee may recommend to the House one or more of the following 

sanctions:

 (1) Expulsion from the House of Representatives.

 (2) Censure.

 (3) Reprimand.

 (4) Fine.

 (5) Denial or limitation of any right, power, privilege, or immunity of the 

Member if under the Constitution the House of Representatives may impose such denial or 

limitation.

 (6) Any other sanction determined by the Committee to be appropriate.

(f) With respect to any proved counts against an officer or employee of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee may recommend to the House one or more of the 

following sanctions:
43

 (1) Dismissal from employment.

 (2) Reprimand.

 (3) Fine.

 (4) Any other sanction determined by the Committee to be appropriate.

(g) With respect to the sanctions that the Committee may recommend, reprimand 

is appropriate for serious violations, censure is appropriate for more serious violations, and 

expulsion of a Member or dismissal of an officer or employee is appropriate for the most 

serious violations. A recommendation of a fine is appropriate in a case in which it is likely 

that the violation was committed to secure a personal financial benefit; and a 

recommendation of a denial or limitation of a right, power, privilege, or immunity of a 

Member is appropriate when the violation bears upon the exercise or holding of such right, 

power, privilege, or immunity. This clause sets forth general guidelines and does not limit 

the authority of the Committee to recommend other sanctions.

(h) The Committee report shall contain an appropriate statement of the evidence 

supporting the Committee’s findings and a statement of the Committee’s reasons for the 

recommended sanction.

Rule 25. Disclosure of Exculpatory Information to Respondent

If the Committee, or any investigative or adjudicatory subcommittee at any time 

receives any exculpatory information respecting a Complaint or Statement of Alleged 

Violation concerning a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, it 

shall make such information known and available to the Member, officer, or employee as 

soon as practicable, but in no event later than the transmittal of evidence supporting a 

proposed Statement of Alleged Violation pursuant to Rule 26(c). If an investigative 

subcommittee does not adopt a Statement of Alleged Violation, it shall identify any 
44

exculpatory information in its possession at the conclusion of its inquiry and shall include 

such information, if any, in the subcommittee’s final report to the Committee regarding its 

inquiry. For purposes of this rule, exculpatory evidence shall be any evidence or 

information that is substantially favorable to the respondent with respect to the allegations 

or charges before an investigative or adjudicatory subcommittee.

Rule 26. Rights of Respondents and Witnesses

(a) A respondent shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel, to be 

provided at the respondent’s own expense.

(b) A respondent may seek to waive any procedural rights or steps in the 

disciplinary process. A request for waiver must be in writing, signed by the respondent, 

and must detail what procedural steps the respondent seeks to waive. Any such request 

shall be subject to the acceptance of the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate.

(c) Not less than 10 calendar days before a scheduled vote by an investigative 

subcommittee on a Statement of Alleged Violation, the subcommittee shall provide the 

respondent with a copy of the Statement of Alleged Violation it intends to adopt together 

with all evidence it intends to use to prove those charges which it intends to adopt, 

including documentary evidence, witness testimony, memoranda of witness interviews, 

and physical evidence, unless the subcommittee by an affirmative vote of a majority of its 

members decides to withhold certain evidence in order to protect a witness, but if such 

evidence is withheld, the subcommittee shall inform the respondent that evidence is being 

withheld and of the count to which such evidence relates.

(d) Neither the respondent nor respondent’s counsel shall, directly or indirectly, 

contact the subcommittee or any member thereof during the period of time set forth in 
45

paragraph (c) except for the sole purpose of settlement discussions where counsels for the 

respondent and the subcommittee are present.

(e) If, at any time after the issuance of a Statement of Alleged Violation, the 

Committee or any subcommittee thereof determines that it intends to use evidence not 

provided to a respondent under paragraph (c) to prove the charges contained in the 

Statement of Alleged Violation (or any amendment thereof), such evidence shall be made 

immediately available to the respondent, and it may be used in any further proceeding 

under the Committee’s rules.

(f) Evidence provided pursuant to paragraph (c) or (e) shall be made available to 

the respondent and respondent’s counsel only after each agrees, in writing, that no 

document, information, or other materials obtained pursuant to that paragraph shall be 

made public until—

(1) such time as a Statement of Alleged Violation is made public by the 

Committee if the respondent has waived the adjudicatory hearing; or

(2) the commencement of an adjudicatory hearing if the respondent has not 

waived an adjudicatory hearing; but the failure of respondent and respondent’s counsel to 

so agree in writing, and therefore not receive the evidence, shall not preclude the issuance 

of a Statement of Alleged Violation at the end of the period referenced in (c).

(g) A respondent shall receive written notice whenever—

(1) the Chair and Ranking Minority Member determine that information the 

Committee has received constitutes a complaint;

(2) a complaint or allegation is transmitted to an investigative subcommittee;

(3) that subcommittee votes to authorize its first subpoena or to take testimony 

under oath, whichever occurs first; or
46

(4) that subcommittee or the Committee votes to expand the scope of the 

inquiry of the investigative subcommittee.

(h) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a Statement of Alleged 

Violation and a respondent enters into an agreement with that subcommittee to settle a 

complaint on which the Statement is based, that agreement, unless the respondent requests 

otherwise, shall be in writing and signed by the respondent and the respondent’s counsel, 

the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee, and outside counsel, if any.

(i) Statements or information derived solely from a respondent or respondent’s

counsel during any settlement discussions between the Committee or a subcommittee 

thereof and the respondent shall not be included in any report of the subcommittee or the 

Committee or otherwise publicly disclosed without the consent of the respondent.

(j) Whenever a motion to establish an investigative subcommittee does not prevail, 

the Committee shall promptly send a letter to the respondent informing the respondent of 

such vote. 

(k) Witnesses shall be afforded a reasonable period of time, as determined by the 

Committee or subcommittee, to prepare for an appearance before an investigative 

subcommittee or for an adjudicatory hearing and to obtain counsel.

(l) Prior to their testimony, witnesses shall be furnished a printed copy of the 

Committee’s Rules of Procedure and the provisions of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives applicable to the rights of witnesses. 

(m) Witnesses may be accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of 

advising them concerning their constitutional rights. The Chair may punish breaches of 

order and decorum, and of professional responsibility on the part of counsel, by censure 
47

and exclusion from the hearings; and the Committee may cite the offender to the House of 

Representatives for contempt. 

(n) Each witness subpoenaed to provide testimony or other evidence shall be 

provided the same per diem rate as established, authorized, and regulated by the Committee 

on House Administration for Members, officers and employees of the House, and, as the 

Chair considers appropriate, actual expenses of travel to or from the place of examination. 

No compensation shall be authorized for attorney’s fees or for a witness’ lost earnings. 

Such per diem may not be paid if a witness had been summoned at the place of examination.

(o) With the approval of the Committee, a witness, upon request, may be provided 

with a transcript of the witness’ own deposition or other testimony taken in executive 

session, or, with the approval of the Chair and Ranking Minority Member, may be 

permitted to examine such transcript in the office of the Committee. Any such request 

shall be in writing and shall include a statement that the witness, and counsel, agree to 

maintain the confidentiality of all executive session proceedings covered by such 

transcript. 

Rule 27. Frivolous Filings

If a complaint or information offered as a complaint is deemed frivolous by an 

affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee, the Committee may take 

such action as it, by an affirmative vote of a majority, deems appropriate in the 

circumstances.

Rule 28. Referrals to Federal or State Authorities

Referrals made under clause 3(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives may be made by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the 

Committee.