April 21, 2026
Mr. Pappas (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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
To enact House Resolution 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, (establishing the Office of Congressional Ethics) into permanent law.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Clean Legislating and Ethical Accountability Now Act
or the CLEAN Act
.
Sec. 2. Enacting House Resolution 895 into permanent law
House Resolution 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, is hereby enacted into permanent law, except that—
(1)
the Office of Congressional Ethics shall be treated as a standing committee of the House of Representatives for purposes of section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i));
(2)
references to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall be construed as references to the Committee on Ethics;
(3)
no person shall serve as a member of the board for more than 4 2-year terms;
(4)
a vacancy on the board shall be filled not later than 60 calendar days after the date any such vacancy occurs, including any vacancy that is the result of term limits;
(5)
if a vacancy on the board is not filled pursuant to the deadline under paragraph (4), the board shall not be prohibited from operating unless there are fewer than 3 members on the board;
(6)
any member of the board currently serving a term in excess of the limitations under paragraph (3) shall be removed from the board not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act;
(7)
any individual who is the subject of a preliminary review or second-phase review by the board shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel and invoking that right should not be held negatively against them; and
(8)
the Office may not take any action that would deny any person any right or protection provided under the Constitution of the United States.