{
  "id": "97-827",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "97-827",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 103972,
      "date": "1997-09-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:57:47.009941",
      "title": "\"Legal Expense Funds\" and Contributions for Legal Expenses in the House of Representatives",
      "summary": "The permission to accept outside private donations, or to use campaign funds, to defray the costs\nof\ncertain legal expenses for Members and employees of the House of Representatives, operates as an\nexception to, as well as guidance for, general statutory and congressional rules prohibiting or\nrestricting the receipt of gifts (5 U.S.C. Section 7353; House Rule 52), the use of \"unofficial office\naccounts\" (House Rule 45, 2 U.S.C. Section 59e(d)(1)), and the use of campaign funds and\ncontributions (House Rule 43(6), 2 U.S.C. Section 439a). \n  Guidance from the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, as well as regulations\nfrom the Federal Election Commission (F.E.C.), indicates that Members and staff may establish\n\"Legal Expense Funds\" to receive private donations of funds (including funds from a campaign\ncommittee), under specific regulations and limitations, for use to defend against or to engage in\ncertain legal actions connected with official duties; that a Member may accept  pro bono \nlegal\nassistance to challenge the validity of any federal law or regulation; and that the use by a Member of\nthe House of campaign funds for legal expenses  connected  to one's official duties, and\nnot of a\npersonal nature (such as divorce, legal fees for real estate transactions, fees for defending charges of\ndriving under the influence,  etc. ), is permitted under federal election campaign laws and\nregulations,\nand may be permitted under House Rules and regulations.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/97-827",
          "sha1": "73cd31cd5fbbc5de21d24d7be20e6d6cb6f4248c",
          "filename": "files/19970909_97-827_73cd31cd5fbbc5de21d24d7be20e6d6cb6f4248c.pdf",
          "images": null
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      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law"
  ]
}