Gift Waivers

Gift Waivers

A House Member, officer, or employee who is requesting a gift waiver for gifts received in connection with a special or unusual occasion, such as a wedding or engagement, the birth or adoption of a child, or a death in the family, must now use the form below to make that request, rather than writing a letter to the Committee.  In addition, Members, officers, and employees who are required to file an annual Financial Disclosure Statements, may seek a waiver of the requirement to report such gifts on their annual Financial Disclosure Statements.  If the financial disclosure waiver is approved by the Committee, the waiver request form will be filed with the Clerk of the House for public disclosure.

Disclosing gifts from foreign goverments

Tangible gifts above “minimal value” accepted from a foreign government under the Foreign Gifts & Decorations Act (FGDA) must be disclosed.  For the years 2014-2016, “minimal value” under the FGDA is defined as $375.  The form is not required for any gift from a foreign government that does not exceed the $375 minimal value.  Any tangible gifts above minimal value accepted under the FGDA must be turned over to the Clerk, or, with written permission from the Ethics Committee, such gifts may be retained for official use during the recipient’s tenure in Congress.    Note that this form should be filed directly with the Ethics Committee in 1015 Longworth, not with the Clerk in the Legislative Resource Center.