House Ethics Reform Act of 2006

The House Ethics Reform Act of 2006 (H.R. 4988) proposes several changes to the internal rules and oversight procedures of the House of Representatives to increase accountability and transparency. The bill would mandate annual ethics training for all House Members and require each congressional office to appoint a dedicated ethics officer to ensure compliance with federal rules.

For the public, the bill’s primary impact would be significantly increased access to information regarding how lawmakers interact with special interests. It requires the electronic filing and public posting of records related to privately funded travel, corporate jet usage, and any gifts valued at $20 or more. Additionally, the bill mandates immediate online disclosure of lobbyist registrations, allowing citizens to more easily track the influence of outside groups on their elected representatives.