Bills · HRES 500
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Res.HRES 500Congress
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require employees of the House to be subject to criminal background checks conducted by the United States Capitol Police, and for other purposes.
INTRO JUN 11· LAST ACTION JUN 11
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Non-binding
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it aims to increase security and transparency within the U.S. House of Representatives, which is a critical part of the federal government. Currently, there isn't a universal requirement in House rules for all employees to undergo criminal background checks or to publicly disclose past foreign government ties and foreign citizenship.
If this bill becomes law, it means that the people working directly for your elected representatives and committees would have been screened for criminal histories and would have publicly declared any recent financial relationships with foreign governments or their foreign citizenship status. This could address public concerns about potential insider threats, foreign influence, or conflicts of interest among congressional staff, ensuring that those who support the legislative process uphold a higher standard of accountability. If the bill does not pass, these new, standardized security and transparency measures would not be put into effect for House employees.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the U.S. Capitol Police to conduct criminal background checks for all House employees at the start of each new Congress or when a new employee begins service.
Ensures that individuals working in the House of Representatives have been screened for potential criminal histories.
PROVISION 02
Mandates House employees to report any payments received or agreements made with foreign governments during the three years prior to their employment.
Increases transparency regarding potential foreign influence on congressional staff.
PROVISION 03
Requires House employees who are citizens or nationals of a foreign country to disclose this status.
Provides transparency about the national allegiance of House staff.
PROVISION 04
The Clerk of the House must post reports detailing foreign payments and foreign citizenship status on a publicly accessible website.
Allows the public to view information about potential foreign financial ties or citizenship status of House employees.
PROVISION 05
Limits the disclosure of criminal background check results only to the head of the employee's specific office.
Protects the privacy of employees while still allowing appropriate oversight by their direct supervisors.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
R· Florida
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
27
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 33%
DEM 1 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 11
Submitted in House
JUN 11
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Resolution
NumberHRES 500
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 11, 2025
Last actionJun 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · RULES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 11, 2025
House Res.HRES 500Congress
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require employees of the House to be subject to criminal background checks conducted by the United States Capitol Police, and for other purposes.
INTRODUCED JUN 11, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
