[19970909]97-827_“法律费用基金”和众议院法律费用缴款.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-827 ASeptember 9, 1997Legal Expense Funds and Contributions forLegal Expenses in the House of Representatives(name redacted)Legislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryThe permission to accept outside private donations, or to use campaign funds, todefray the costs of certain legal expenses for Members and employees of the House ofRepresentatives, operates as an exception to, as well as guidance for, general statutoryand congressional rules prohibiting or restricting the receipt of gifts (5 U.S.C. 7353;House Rule 52), the use of unofficial office accounts (House Rule 45, 2 U.S.C. 59e(d)(1), and the use of campaign funds and contributions (House Rule 43(6), 2U.S.C. 439a). Guidance from the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, as well asregulations from the Federal Election Commission (F.E.C.), indicates that Members andstaff may establish Legal Expense Funds to receive private donations of funds(including funds from a campaign committee), under specific regulations and limitations,for use to defend against or to engage in certain legal actions connected with of