Ethics Training is Mandatory Under Capito Legislation

Ethics Training is Mandatory Under Capito Legislation
Amendment to lobbying reform bill mandates ethics training for all House employees

Contact: Jordan Stoick

WASHINGTON - During a markup yesterday, the House Rules Committee approved an amendment sponsored by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) that would make ethics training mandatory for all House of Representatives employees. The provision amends the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (H.R. 4975).

The Capito amendment directs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, or the Ethics Committee as it is often called, to establish a mandatory ethics training program for employees of the House. The training sessions are required to occur at least once every two years. The amendment requires each employee to complete the training within 30 days of being hired, and also authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to withhold the salary of any employee who does not complete the training within the required time frame.

"The elected members must set the example for maintaining the highest level of ethics in Congress, but we also need to ensure there is a process in place to assist staff members in following that example," said Capito. "I believe the inclusion of this amendment helps make the overall lobbying reform bill a more comprehensive approach that covers not only elected members of the House, but their staffs as well."

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=153&whichone=pr