Washington, D.C. (Jan. 4, 2019)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, issued the following statement on the introduction of sweeping Democratic legislation to restore our democracy: “Over the last two years, President Trump set the tone from the top in his Administration that behaving ethically and complying with the law is optional. We have seen gross abuses from agency heads such as former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. That is why we are introducing the ‘For the People’ Act. This bill includes a number of reforms that will strengthen accountability for executive branch officials—including the President. I look forward to passing these strong reforms proposed in H.R. 1. This is our watch, and the American people are looking for us to take action.” Click here and see below some of the issues that will be referred to the Oversight Committee. Executive Branch Conflicts of Interest Prohibits incentive payments from corporations to individuals entering government service.

Prohibits federal procurement officers from accepting any compensation from contractors to which they awarded contracts for two years after leaving government service.

Prohibits senior federal officials from inappropriately using their positions after leaving government service by restricting them from attempting to influence employees in their former agencies for two years after their service ends. Presidential Conflicts of Interest States the Sense of Congress that the President and the Vice President should conduct themselves as if they were bound by the federal conflict of interest law.

Requires the President and the Vice President to file a new financial disclosure report within 30 days of taking office.

Treats the President and Vice President the same as Members of Congress by prohibiting them from contracting with the United States government. White House Ethics Transparency Mandates that Executive Branch ethics waivers be disclosed to the Office of Government Ethics and the public. Executive Branch Ethics Enforcement Reauthorizes the Office of Government Ethics.

Enhances the Office of Government Ethics’ enforcement mechanisms. Conflicts from Political Fundraising Requires individuals nominated or appointed to Senate-confirmed positions and certain other senior government officials to disclose contributions by, solicited by, or made on behalf of an individual.

Requires the disclosure of certain types of gifts to these individuals or their families.

Requires the Office of Government Ethics to issue rules on addressing conflicts of interest identified in these disclosures. Transition Team Ethics Requires the President-elect to develop ethics plans that apply to members of the transition team. Ethics Pledge for Senior Executive Branch Employees Codifies the Obama-era Executive Branch ethics pledge. Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Requires that all reports from federal agencies mandated by Congress be published online in a searchable and downloadable database. Voting Makes Election Day a federal employment holiday and encourages private sector employers to do so as well.