What are the ethics rules for gifts, anyway? (highly confused)

I was chatting over at dKos about "Sunflowers for Feingold", and warned them about it possibly not being ethical. Then somebody called Barbara Boxer's office and she said that individual under $50 gifts can be accepted. This is a different position from Sen. Kerry's office (remember my rejected $30 USO charity check). What's going on? I think I will say nothing more to people on the web, until I find out what's correct. But it looks like the Senators are not in agreement on this. Anybody know?

Many people send cards, telegrams (hand delivered ones can cost more than flowers), candy or flowers as greetings. Possibly these things are not considered gifts per se.

It is a good question though because interpretation does seem to vary. I'd guess the reason your check was returned is because they couldn't legally deposit a check for the USO and then write them another one. There are probably reasons why they don't collect checks for charities either. A check to Friends of John Kerry or5 KAP probably could have been accepted.

to do it here at DU supposedly from a Kerry staffer (3rd hand so probably that's where the problem lay), so I feel like it would be great if we could find out in full precision what citizens can or cannot send a senator or congressman. Two people over at Kos said they called Barbara Boxer's office and was told a gift, under $50, could be given. The gift could be anything, not just a greeting. Somebody commented that "hey, I can send flowers to my senator any damn time I want to"; I completely understand that reaction. Somebody also mentioned that the Senate bill is not law since it needs to be reconciled with a very different House bill and then signed by the President. I think at issue here is the appearance of an ethics violation, and it sounds like the Boxer people are maybe less cautious than the Kerry people. But since Feingold has presidential ambitions, I told the thread that they should call his office to make sure it is not an ethics violation. I didn't want to mention Kerry's name (it didn't seem relevant) so when the Boxer reply was in the thread, it seemed the issue was over and then there were jokes about "bribing a Senator with Sunflowers". I for one have no intention to send a politician a gift, but would rather donate to a PAC associated with them or send a handwritten thank you note. Plus flowers for a male senator? I don't know if that's very manly.

It's a tough call. When Senators get flowers like that, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't display them for a day or so and then donate them to a hospital or nursing home. In the case of something that can be eaten (like chocolates), I'd say as long as they are sent for public enjoyment (staff, other senators, etc.) it is probably not the same as a personal gift to the individual. Flowers may be in the same category, but I doubt anyone would want ten dozen roses in their office! I'd be willing to bet that Sen. Boxer distributed or donated hers.