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H.R.4948 / 109th Congress

Ethics Reform Act of 2006

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

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 14, 2006

Ethics Reform Act of 2006 - Amends rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House to abolish the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

Establishes within the legislative branch an Independent Ethics Commission to perform the duties of the Committee.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to transfer functions of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to the Commission with respect to: (1) registration of lobbyists; (2) disclosure and enforcement; (3) penalties; and (4) rules of construction.

Requires quarterly instead of semiannual filing of lobbying disclosure reports with the Commission in an electronic form to made available to the public free of charge over the Internet.

Requires the Commission to continue any investigations pending before the Committee six months after the enactment of this Act.

Sets forth House procedures for consideration of Commission recommendations.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] · D–OR

Committees

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

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, 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.

  2. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, 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, 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, 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. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E360)

  6. Introduced in House

  7. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4948 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

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4948 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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