Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to the certification requirement in the case of a congressional earmark or limited tax or tariff benefit.

Stricter conflict rules for earmarks

This resolution would expand the House rule on congressional earmark and limited tax or tariff benefit certifications. It would bar a Member from certifying an earmark or limited tax or tariff benefit when the Member, the Member’s spouse, any immediate family member, or any entity in which those people hold a material financial interest has a direct or indirect financial interest. It would explicitly cover interests from owning a business asset that could reasonably be expected to increase in value because the earmark is near that asset. If adopted, the change would take effect upon adoption by the House. This would be a procedural ethics change and would not create new programs or funding.