State and Federal Communications, the industry expert in providing government compliance information and consulting to many Fortune 500 companies, has developed a new ‘User’s Guide to National Party Conventions’ to provide organizations and convention participants with comprehensive compliance advice and guidelines to navigate the national party conventions. The publication is being offered free to any interested person after registering their inquiry on the company’s website at http://www.stateandfed.com/conventions/

The firm’s staff of attorneys and researchers has expertise in state, federal, and municipal laws regarding lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying. They have teamed together to prepare the new User’s Guide in advance of this year’s Republican National Convention being held in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena from July 18-21, 2016, and also the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center and Pennsylvania Convention Center from July 25-July 28, 2016.

Each convention operates to nominate a Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate for that party. These conventions are a gathering place for delegates and party members from across the United States, providing an excellent opportunity for organizations and individuals to interface and network with a wide range of public officials. Therefore, knowledge of the applicable federal, state, and local rules governing interactions and gift giving with both convention delegates and other public officials in attendance is of vital importance. The User’s Guide explains and details state-by-state jurisdiction permissibility of gifts to delegates and attendees who are public officials. It also informs readers of the different political leaders and attendees that will be at the conventions, including their roles, and the contribution rules that apply.

According to Ms. Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, based in Akron, Ohio, “Producing the 2016 User’s Guide to National Party Conventions, and offering this free of charge, is our way to give back to the many people involved in our country’s great political system. We want to provide lobbying and compliance information from our vast resources to help everyone stay compliant at these conventions.”

This is the third edition of the State and Federal Communications User’s Guide to National Party Conventions. Previous issues were produced in 2012 and 2008.

Ms. Bartz adds, “We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to know and act correctly about what gifts can be given, to avoid potential ethics problems and unexpected fines at the conventions.”

For more information and to receive the free ‘User’s Guide to National Party Conventions’ please visit: http://www.stateandfed.com/conventions/

There is a great deal of discussion surrounding what this new Congress will bring. There has also been some attention surrounding the oath of office, with two House Members apparently voting without having attended the official swearing-in. Here is a nice piece by Politico describing the situation.

The United States Senate Web site offers a great history of the oath of office. On the Web site of the Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, there is also a description of the oath for House Members. For those who need a refresher, you will find a nice primer on the U.S. Senate Web site called, “What Happens When a New Congress Begins.”

Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution states that “members of Congress shall be bound by an oath to support the Constitution.” But it does not offer a text for such an oath. From the first congress in 1789, the oath that was used was short and simple: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”

For many years, this oath was deemed sufficient. But the oath we are accustomed to hearing is much longer and goes as follows:

“I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

The Senate Web site describes the reason for the change that occurred over 70 years after that first congress:

“In April of 1861, a time of uncertain and shifting loyalties, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath. When Congress convened for a brief emergency session in July, members echoed the president’s action by enacting legislation requiring employees to take the expanded oath in support of the Union. This oath is the earliest direct predecessor of the modern oath.”

In honor of the 112th Congress, here is a link to C-Span’s coverage of the 112th Congress. Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo of Vice President Richard Nixon administering the oath of office to Senator Gale McGee in 1959, and the United States Senate in session in their new chamber (1859) courtesy of the U.S. Senate Web site.