PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Laid on the table. See S. 1060 for further action.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 31, 1995
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 - Requires registration with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives (appropriate congressional officials) by any individual lobbyist (or the individual's employer if it employs one or more lobbyists) within 45 days after the individual first makes, or is employed or retained to make, a lobbying contact with either the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, or any other specified Federal officer or employee, including certain high-ranking members of the uniformed services. Defines a lobbyist as any individual employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact (but not an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services provided to that client over a six-month period). (Sec. 4) Provides for: (1) special registration filing rules in cases involving multiple clients and contacts; and (2) registration termination in cases where a registrant is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct lobbying activities and does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities for such client. Specifies the contents of such registration. Provides for exemptions from registration requirements above in cases involving lobbying income of $5,000 or less (for a particular client) or total expenses of $20,000 or less (in the case of an organization whose employees engage in lobbying activities on the organization's behalf) (adjusted periodically for inflation) for the semiannual period. (Sec. 5) Requires registrants to file semiannual lobbying activity reports with the appropriate congressional officials. Specifies the contents of such reports. (Sec. 6) Specifies various duties of the appropriate congressional officials for carrying out this Act, including reviewing registrations and reports filed under it, and making copies of them available to the public. (Sec. 7) Sets forth penalties for violations involving the requirements of this Act. (Sec. 9) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) replace references to political propaganda with references to informational materials; and (2) add to the exemption from registration requirements under such Act for certain lawyers providing legal representation to disclosed foreign principals to apply it to such representative actions as judicial proceedings and criminal or civil law enforcement inquiries, investigations, or proceedings. Exempts from the requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 any agent of a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign entity not organized for business that registers under this Act. (Sec. 10) Revises (Byrd Amendment) limitations on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions, removing obsolete reporting requirements, among other changes. (Sec. 11) Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Repeals provisions of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act and the Housing Act of 1949 relating to lobbyist activities. (Sec. 14) Sets forth special rules for the identification of: (1) foreign and other clients on whose behalf lobbying contacts are made with a covered legislative or executive branch official; and (2) such covered officials. (Sec. 15) Permits tax-exempt charitable organizations required to report lobbying expenses by the Internal Revenue Code to report, under this Act, only good faith estimates of such expenses in order to meet specified reporting (including exemption from such reporting) requirements of this Act. (Sec. 16) Amends provisions of Federal law known as the Ramspeck Act to repeal authority extending competitive status to certain legislative and judicial branch employees involuntarily separated without prejudice from their respective branch, entitling them to transfer to the competitive service in the executive branch. (Sec. 17) Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to promulgate regulations on the manner and extent that experience in a position other than a competitive one may be considered in making appointments to a competitive position. Prohibits the grant, in such regulations, of any preference based on the fact of service in the legislative or judicial branch. Directs OPM to study excepted service considerations for competitive service appointments relating to this Act. (Sec. 18) Makes certain civic leagues or organizations not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, and certain local associations of employees whose net earnings are devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes, ineligible for Federal funds in any form if they engage in lobbying activities. (Sec. 19) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to require the Attorney General to report to Congress semiannually on administrative matters (currently "from time to time") including registration filings. (Sec. 20) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to: (1) augment the dollar value categories for required disclosure of income, assets, and liabilities of subject individuals, but limiting disclosure requirements for their spouses and dependent children to income, assets, and liabilities held jointly with the subject individual, and leaving unspecified any such amounts or values exceeding $1 million; and (2) require the financial disclosure reports of subject individuals to include the category of the total cash value of any interest of the reporting individual in a qualified blind trust, except under certain circumstances. (Sec. 21) Amends the Federal criminal code to apply to the Deputy United States Trade Representative (Deputy USTR) the same three-year prohibition against representing, aiding, or advising a foreign entity after leaving Government service as applies to the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit any person who has directly represented, aided, or advised a foreign entity in any trade negotiation, or trade dispute, with the United States from being appointed as USTR or Deputy USTR. (Sec. 23) Expresses the sense of the Senate that lobbying expenses should not be tax deductible.
People & committees
Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12] · R–FL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Laid on the table. See S. 1060 for further action.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 421 - 0 (Roll no. 828).
House roll call 828 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 421 - 0 (Roll no. 828).
House roll call 828 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2564.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the unanimous consent agreement of November 16, 1995, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Traficant amendment.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H13738-13745)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2564 as unfinished business.
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Canady moved that the committee rise.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with five additional minutes of debate on the Weller amendment, on which further proceedings were previously postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with five additional minutes of debate on the English amendment, on which further proceedings were previously postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with five additional minutes of debate on the Clinger amendment, on which further proceedings were previously postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with five additional minutes of debate on the Fox amendment, on which further proceedings were previously postponed.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Mr. Canady asked unanimous consent that in the further consideration of the bill in the Commmittee of the Whole, prior to the votes on the four amendments which were considered on November 16 upon which further proceedings were postponed, that Messrs. Fox, Clinger, English, and Weller each be recongized for 2 1/2 minutes in support of their amendments and that Mr. Canady be recognized for 2 1/2 minutes in opposition to each amendment.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H13682-13690)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2564 as unfinished business.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Weller amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Weller objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the earlier unanimous consent agreement, further proceedings on the amendment were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Weller amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the English amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. English objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the earlier unanimous consent agreement, further proceedings on the amendment were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the English amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Kaptur amendment.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2564 as unfinished business.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Clinger amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was agreed to. Mr. Canady objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the earlier unanimous consent agreement, further proceedings on the amendment were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Clinger amendment.
VOTE POSTPONED - At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Fox amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Fox asked for a recorded vote. Pursuant to the earlier unanimous consent agreement, further proceedings on the amendment were postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Fox amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 269, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with two hours of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jim Kolbe to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 269 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2564 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order for the Speaker to declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House for consideration of the bill. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI shall be waived. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against any amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be waived. If H.R. 2564 is passed by the House in a form identical to S. 1060, as passed by the Senate, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the Senate bill in the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the Senate bill to final passage withou...
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 269. (consideration: CR H13099-13138)
Mr. Canady asked unanimous consent that, during the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole, the Chairman may postpone until a time during further consideration in the Committee of the Whole a request for a recorded vote on any amendment, and that the Chairman may reduce to not less than five minutes the time for voting on any postponed question that immediately follows another vote without intervening business, provided that the time for voting on the first in any series of questions be not less than 15 minutes; and further, that debate on each amendment to the bill and any amendments thereto be limited to 30 minutes, equally divided and controlled. Agreed to without objection.
Rule H. Res. 269 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 269 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2564 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order for the Speaker to declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House for consideration of the bill. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI shall be waived. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against any amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be waived. If H.R. 2564 is passed by the House in a form identical to S. 1060, as passed by the Senate, it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider the Senate bill in the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the Senate bill to final passage withou...
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 181.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Government Reform discharged.
Committee on Government Reform discharged.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 14, 1995.
House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 14, 1995.
House Committee on Government Reform Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 14, 1995.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-339, Part I.
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-339, Part I.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H12193-12194)
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2564 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.2564 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.2564 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.2564 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.