End-of-life counseling finally finds coverage

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., talks during a 2014 subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill. Six years ago, Blumenauer?s proposal for Medicare to cover end-of-life counseling touched off a political uproar.

(Cliff Owen/Associated Press)

Oregon's own bowtied U.S. representative, Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), introduced an act on Thursday with an acronym that wasn't subtle.

The bill, the No Taxpayer Revenue Used to Monetize the Presidency Act, or, the No TRUMP Act, "would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for events, overnight stays, food or other expenses at hotels owned or operated by a president or his relatives," reported USA Today.

"Donald Trump should not be allowed to make money off the presidency," tweeted Blumenauer Thursday after the bill was introduced.

The bill, which would impact any future president beyond Donald Trump, as well as Trump himself, comes as the issue of taxpayer dollars funding things like Melania Trump's decision to stay at Trump Tower in New York and Eric Trump's $97,830 business trip to Uruguay continues to grow.

USA Today points out that since the House and Senate are under Republican control and Trump has to sign legislation into law, the likelihood that the No TRUMP Act will become law is very low.

But, Blumenauer said, according to USA Today,"I think it's entirely possible that under bizarre circumstances, the combination of public concern and political unease may grow."

"I believe this would be broadly supported," he added. "And if something happens that galvanizes public attention, we have something that is ready to go."

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker