A list of key executive officers and biographical information appears in Part I, Item 1. Purpose and Function of Our Government within this annual report.
All federal government employees are required to act in accordance with the general Code of Ethics for Government Service, codified as P.L. 96-303.
Legislative
The ethical conduct of the elected members of Congress is prescribed by either the House Ethics Manual or the Senate Ethics Manual, as applicable.
Executive
The Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel lays out rules on how executive branch appointees are to conduct themselves and requires every appointee in every executive agency to sign an ethics pledge (the Pledge). The Executive Order allows for a waiver when the literal application of the Pledge does not make sense or is not in the public interest. Granted waivers are posted online at https://www.whitehouse.gov/disclosures/.
Judicial
Federal judges must abide by the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, a set of ethical principles and guidelines adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States. The Code of Conduct provides guidance for judges on issues of judicial integrity and independence, judicial diligence and impartiality, permissible extra-judicial activities, and the avoidance of impropriety or even its appearance. Judges may not hear cases in which they have either personal knowledge of the disputed facts, a personal bias concerning a party to the case, earlier involvement in the case as a lawyer, or a financial interest in any party or subject matter of the case.
Employees of the federal Judiciary are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, including observing high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the Judiciary are preserved, and the judicial employee’s office reflects a devotion to serving the public.
State and local government
State and local governments have their own codes of ethics for employees to follow, which are too numerous to outline here.