Crow Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Presidential Corruption, Restore Checks and Balances

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) has introduced the Protecting our Democracy Act, a slate of historic pro-democracy reforms aimed at preventing presidential abuses of power, rooting out corruption, strengthening checks and balances, and protecting American elections against foreign influence. Crow joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and 92 other Members of Congress in introducing the bill.

Upon returning to the White House, the President kickstarted a series of corruption schemes that have personally netted the Trump family billions. As gas, groceries, and healthcare have all gotten more expensive for working families, Donald Trump has increased his personal net worth by at least $3 billion—the most lucrative year of his life. And as Trump and congressional Republicans took away healthcare for millions, Trump funneled billions from anonymous donors and foreign governments through his personal cryptocurrency slush fund.

At the same time, this Administration is ignoring the Constitution to consolidate power. President Trump unilaterally launched a war with Iran, costing billions of taxpayer dollars and leading to the death of thirteen servicemembers. Trump officials at the DOJ and FBI are targeting political opponents. Federal agencies like FEMA are withholding funding to states that did not support Trump in recent elections. Trump-appointed Inspectors General are refusing to investigate wrongdoing. And the President has threatened to invade Democratic-run cities, send federal forces to polling places, and end an entire civilization.

“This is one of the most dangerous and corrupt Administrations in American history,” said Congressman Crow. “This President and his cronies are ripping away health care, ignoring rising costs, and spending billions on a reckless war—all while lining their pockets at taxpayers’ expense. Congress cannot stand by as they undermine our constitutional powers and use the presidency as a personal piggy bank. The American people deserve a government focused on making life more affordable for them, not one that makes this President and the elites around him richer. 

The legislative package includes provisions that:

1. Codifies constitutional prohibitions on foreign and domestic emoluments and prevents Trump-style abuses of power.
2. Increases transparency surrounding the Executive Branch’s implementation of spending laws, prevents the politicization of the civil service, and strengthens protections for whistleblowers who play a crucial role in Congressional oversight by exposing wrongdoing, often at great personal and professional risk.
3. Protects elections from foreign interference, requires presidential candidates to submit their tax returns to the Federal Election Commission, and increases disclosure requirements for online political advertisements. 
4. Requires the President to disclose to Congress any payments made to the President by an individual granted clemency or by an individual appointed to a position which requires the advice and consent of the Senate

Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has fought to protect democracy and end corruption. He has stood up to special interests and has not taken a dime of corporate PAC money. He is leading the fight to root out corruption in our elections, including through his End Dark Money Act to crack down on dark money’s influence on U.S. elections and his bipartisan Shell Company Abuse Act to limit foreign interference in U.S. elections. Crow is also calling on the U.S. House to ban its members from insider trading on prediction markets, and he’s an original cosponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act to ban members of Congress and their families from owning or trading stocks. 

Congressman Crow is looking to build a future that brings Americans together, protects our democracy, and ensures leaders are accountable to working class Americans—his vision for New American Patriotism. 

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