Code of Ethics and Government Service

Resolved by the House of Representatives {the Senate concurring}, That it is the sense of the Congress that the following Code of Ethics should be adhered to by all Government employees, including officeholders.
Adopted July 11, 1958, still in place

I. Put loyalty to the highest moral principles and to our country above loyalty to persons, party, or Government department
II. Uphold the Constitution, laws, and regulations of the United States and of all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion.
III. Give a full day’s labor for a full day’s pay, giving earnest effort and best thought to performances of duties.
IV. Seek to find and employ more efficient and economical ways of getting tasks accomplished.
V. Never discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept, for himself or herself or family members, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable person as influencing the performance of public duty.
VI. Make no private promise of any kind binding upon the duties of the office, since a Government employee has no private word which can be binding on public duty
VII. Engage in no business with the Government, either directly or indirectly, which is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of government duties.
VIII. Never use any information gained confidentially I the performance of government duties as a means of making private profit.
IX. Expose corruption wherever it is discovered.
X. Uphold these principles, ever conscious that public office is public trust.