[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H9567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

  The SPEAKER. The Chair will make a statement.
  On May 25, 1995, the Chair took the opportunity to reiterate 
guidelines on the prohibition against former Members exercising floor 
privileges during the consideration of a matter in which they have a 
personal or pecuniary interest or are employed or retained as a 
lobbyist.
  Clause 3 of House rule XXXII and the subsequent guidelines issued by 
previous Speakers on this matter make it clear that consideration of 
legislative measures is not limited solely to those pending before the 
House. Consideration also includes all bills and resolutions either 
which have been called up by a full committee or subcommittee or on 
which hearings have been held by a full committee or subcommittee of 
the House.
  Former Members can be prohibited from privileges of the floor, the 
Speaker's lobby and respective Cloakrooms should it be ascertained they 
have direct interests in legislation that is before a subcommittee, 
full committee, or the House. Not only do those circumstances prohibit 
former Members but the fact that a former Member is employed or 
retained by a lobbying organization attempting to directly or 
indirectly influence pending legislation is cause for prohibiting 
access to the House Chamber.
  First announced by Speaker O'Neill on January 6, 1977, again on June 
7, 1978, and by Speaker Foley in 1994, the guidelines were intended to 
prohibit former Members from using their floor privileges under the 
restrictions laid out in this rule. This restriction extends not only 
to the House floor but adjacent rooms, the Cloakrooms, and the 
Speaker's lobby.
  Members who have reason to know that a former Member is on the floor 
inconsistent with clause 3, rule XXXII should notify the Sergeant at 
Arms promptly.

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