By J.C. Bruce
A pair of House Democrats has introduced sweeping legislation designed to clean up corruption in the nation’s capital.
Whether it will get the attention it deserves is a huge question mark. Why? Because of corruption in the capital, of course.
U.S. Reps. Greg Landsman of Ohio and Josh Riley of New York say their “Drain the Swamp Act” is necessary because of the “unprecedented, blatant corruption and increasing attacks on our democracy.” They claim it is the most comprehensive anti-corruption legislation in the nation’s history, and when you read through the bullet points below, I think you’ll agree.
Included in the 250-page bill are provisions that would:
Ban the president, vice president, members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading stocks.
Ban betting on political events or other government action in prediction markets.
Prohibit presidents, their immediate families and businesses from suing the federal government, as Trump did with his suit against the IRS that resulted in him being promised a $1.776 billion slush fund.
Strengthen the emoluments clause of the Constitution so that in the future when countries want to give presidents multi-million dollar airplanes, it would not be allowed.
Establish 18-year term limits for the Supreme Court and Congress.
Suspend pay for members of Congress during government shutdowns or when the debt limit is reached.
Revoke pensions for Congress, Cabinet officials and former president convicted of felonies.
Establish ethics rules for the Supreme Court (sorry, no more luxury vacations for you, Clarence Thomas.)
Ban partisan gerrymandering (too late to stop Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, unfortunately.)
Overturn Citizens United (corporations wouldn’t be people, after all.)
Eliminate corporate political action committees.
Ban untraceable dark money in campaigns.
End voter suppression.
It’s a great punch list, but the odds of it making its way through the Republican-controlled House before the midterm elections is minuscule. It would have to be refiled when the new Congress convenes in 2027.
But if Democrats regain control of the House, this could be a bill to watch.
In any event, it serves as a list of indictments of sorts, a checklist of abuses that need to be addressed. And we will want to keep a close eye on who steps up to co-sponsor this legislation and, importantly, who does not.
Related:
Landsman, Riley Lead the “Drain the Swamp Act”
Report From House Dems: Trump Used 250th Planning to Hide Corruption
Trump’s reign of grift and graft is without parallel
The Reflecting Pool as a Reflection of Trump’s Corruption and Tin-Potism
J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press. He’s an award-winning author and journalist who claims dual citizenship in both the United States of America and his native Florida.
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J.C. Bruce
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Nothing is more important than this. The corruption we have now is so fundamental to blocking good governance and also destroys the public's respect for elected officials and even people's willingness to vote. While it won't pass now, the Dems should run on this as the foundation of their agenda.
It sounds like a great bill, but even if Democrats swept the midterms and became the majority in Congress, Trump would still have to sign it, and he wouldn't cut off his gravy train. Few in Congress would either. It's nice to know there are still people in Congress that care about America.