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H.R.459 / 117th Congress

HUMBLE Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 25, 2021

Halt Unchecked Member Benefits with Lobbying Elimination Act or the HUMBLE Act

This bill places limits on certain activities of Members and elected officers of Congress.

The bill imposes a permanent ban on lobbying contacts by a former Senator (currently, a two-year ban), a former Member of the House of Representatives (currently, a one-year ban), or a former elected officer of the House or Senate (currently, a one-year ban).

This bill prohibits federal funds made available for the official travel of a Member or other officer or employee of the legislative branch from being used for airline accommodations that are not coach-class accommodations.

Such prohibition is inapplicable for an individual if the use would be permitted for an employee of an agency subject to specified federal regulations for temporary duty travel allowances.

Certain benefits and services are eliminated for former Members of the House (e.g., access to the House chamber, the Member's Dining Room, or parking spaces) unless the benefits or services are made available to the public.

Finally, the bill prohibits Members of the House from owning the common stock of any individual corporation.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] · D–MN

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Ethics Committee
  • Rules Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

  2. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Ethics, and the Judiciary, 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.

  3. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Ethics, and the Judiciary, 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.

  4. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Ethics, and the Judiciary, 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.

  5. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Ethics, and the Judiciary, 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.

  6. Introduced in House

  7. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.459 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.459 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.459 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.459 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.

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