united-states congress
Is there a rule preventing campaign rallies on the House floor?
<p>Is there a law or a House rule preventing House of Representatives members using their time on the House floor, or committee floor, to hold election campaign events?</p>

<p>There are several House rules and laws that prohibit Members from using their time on the floor or in committee meetings for campaign activities, including rallies. These prohibitions are discussed in detail in Chapter 4 of the House Ethics Manual, on "<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/2008_House_Ethics_Manual.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Campaign Activity</a>." </p>

<p><strong>The general rule</strong> covering which resources can be used for campaigns is simple: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"official resources of the House must...be used for the performance of official business of the House..., and <em>may <strong>not</strong> be used for campaign or political purposes</em>." p. 123</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The "<a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/574/672/1867561/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">basic principle</a>" underlying this rule is also simple:  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"government funds should not be spent to help incumbents gain reelection." p. 123</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The ban extends to the use of "House buildings, rooms and offices – including district offices." Since these are "supported with official funds," they "are considered official resources," and,  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"as a general rule, they may not be used for the conduct of campaign or political activities, and...are not to be used for events that are campaign or political in nature..." p. 127. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>These rules obviously prohibit members from using the floor or committee meetings for  campaign rallies. </p>

<p>The House rules also prohibit using tv footage of "House floor...or committee proceedings" in "partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the candidacy of any person for public office." p. 128.</p>

<p>It is also a federal <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/607" rel="nofollow noreferrer">crime</a> to solicit campaign contributions while on government property.</p>

<p>In many cases, it is relatively easy to tell when these laws and rules have been broken. Either the Senator called a donor from her office, or she didn't; either she held a campaign rally or she didn't. But in other cases, it may not be so easy to tell when these laws have been broken. For example, suppose a Member throws in several partisan soundbites while speaking on the floor, hoping to make the nightly news. Could this be considered using the House floor for "political purposes"? </p>
