Rep. Neguse, Next-Generation Lawmakers Renew Call For “End Corruption Now” Legislative Reforms on One-Year Anniversary
Washington, D.C. — Today, the coalition of next-generation lawmakers behind the End Corruption Now legislative agenda marked one year since introducing a package of seven bills designed to put power back in the hands of the American people. The group is led by Congressman Joe Neguse, who at 42 years-old is the youngest Democrat in his state’s federal delegation, and includes Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
The members’ fight to clean up Washington has been propelled by Donald Trump’s brazen levels of corruption while in office—with reports estimating the president has leveraged the office to generate billions of dollars in personal profits for himself and his family. Their agenda also seeks to put a stop to longstanding practices that have allowed for the selling of access and influence in government.
“Donald Trump’s pervasive self-dealing is happening at the expense of everyday Americans. This corruption must end,” said Congressman Neguse. “A year ago, I was proud to join a group of common-sense lawmakers in the House to introduce legislation that would ban Members of Congress from trading stocks or becoming lobbyists, strengthen anti-corruption laws, and restore public trust in government. And today, we are just as committed to that effort as ever.”
The End Corruption Now agenda includes Rep. Neguse’s Close the Revolving Door Act, which places a lifetime ban on Members of Congress from serving as lobbyists and is championed in the U.S. Senate by Senator Michael Bennet. It also consists of the Restoring Integrity in Democracy Resolution, the Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act, the No Corporate Crooks Act, the Stop Millionaires Using Service for Kickbacks (MUSK) Act, the Integrity in Government (IG) Act, and the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act. Details about each proposal can be found HERE.
“We’re over one year into Trump 2.0 and it’s more important than ever that we pass these common-sense reforms to combat government corruption into law,” said Congresswoman Craig. “The job of elected officials is to better the lives of their constituents – not enrich themselves. As the President continues to leverage his position to rake in billions of dollars in personal profit, we must enact reforms to protect Americans’ tax dollars and hold elected officials accountable. I’m proud to be a part of the effort in Congress to clean up Washington and restore trust in our government.”
“Corruption in Washington is the reason that politicians fail to deliver real results for the working people they were elected to serve,” said Congressman Magaziner. “If we want to lower costs and improve the lives of working people, we need to ban elected officials from trading stocks so they are not conflicted when making policy. I am proud to stand with Representative Neguse and like-minded members in this effort to bring real reform to Washington.”
“Corporate power has rigged the system against the American people for a long time, and it’s sucking the life out of the American Dream,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This creeping corruption existed long before Donald Trump, but his Administration’s corruption would make even the robber barons blush. No one should be able to use the presidency to funnel billions in profits back to themselves, their family, of their donors. A year ago, my colleagues and I launched the ‘End Corruption Now’ Legislative Agenda—this fight is more important than ever. We’ve got to root out this corruption to restore the American Dream.”
“For too long, politicians in both parties have put their own gain ahead of what’s best for the American people. The brazen corruption of the last year has only highlighted the need for urgent action. It is past time for comprehensive reform to ensure politicians serve the people, not themselves,” said Congressman Ryan. “No more getting rich off trading stocks. An end to Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. Getting rid of kickbacks for billionaire friends. I’m proud to keep fighting alongside this group of next-generation lawmakers who refuse to accept the status quo – we’re here to clean house.”
“Our democracy depends on transparency and accountability, and right now, we are watching corruption run rampant across this administration and its political allies,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “My Integrity in Government Act would protect the nonpartisan watchdogs who work on behalf of the American people and strengthen oversight of the White House, because elected officials should be working for the people they represent, not for themselves. No one is above the law.”
“A year and a half into Republican control in Washington, Americans are watching corruption flourish across this administration and its political allies while working families are left behind. The End Corruption Now agenda is about restoring trust and ensuring public office serves the people, not personal interests or political insiders. That is why I introduced the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act to close loopholes in federal bribery law and ensure public officials are held to the same standards as the people they serve. No one should be above the law,” said Congresswoman Sykes.
The End Corruption Now agenda is endorsed by End Citizens United, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Public Citizen, and Project On Government Oversight (POGO).
“Our broken campaign finance system empowers greedy industries and politicians who cater to the whims of their donors,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “That leaves everyday people defenseless against today’s growing economic pressures. The End Corruption Now agenda cracks down on self-dealing and closes the loopholes that have allowed billionaires and special interests to gouge the American people. Congressman Neguse and his colleagues are bringing real leadership to this fight, and we are grateful for the critical work they are doing.”
“Donald Trump and his administration’s rampant corruption and self-dealing during the last year and a half since he returned to office are unprecedented in this nation’s history. Americans should be able to trust that their elected officials and senior policymakers are serving the public’s interest, rather than private financial interests,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “CREW applauds the leadership of Reps. Neguse, Craig, Magaziner, Deluzio, Ryan, Scholten and Sykes for their work on the End Corruption Now agenda. There has never been a greater need for Congress to take action on comprehensive anti-corruption legislation.”
“The deluge of corruption spewing out of the Trump White House over the last year has disgusted voters and decimated public trust in government. The only way to prove to the American people that their leaders can be trusted is for Congress to act aggressively to attack pay-to-play politics in Washington. We support passing the End Corruption Now slate of bills and urge Congress to stop wasting time,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.
###