Golden Proposes Amendment to Force Disclosure of Foreign Payments to Families of President, Members of Congress

Press Release

The House will consider an amendment this week from Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to amend the Protecting Our Democracy Act to require the president, vice president, members of Congress, and candidates for federal office to disclose any payments made by foreign governments to their spouses and dependent children.

"It's no secret that Russia, China, and other foreign governments seek to influence U.S. officials any way they can, including by attempting to pay off family members," said Golden. "The Protecting Our Democracy Act would help enforce Constitutional protections against foreign influence, but it doesn't go far enough. By requiring the disclosure of foreign governments to officials' close family members, my amendment would strengthen our defenses against foreign influence and domestic corruption."

The Protecting Our Democracy Act would codify the Constitution's Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses into federal statute by prohibiting all federal officials from accepting payments from foreign governments, and by prohibiting the President from accepting any payment or gift from a federal or state government other than the lawful compensation for their employment as President. These payments and gifts would be prohibited whether they are provided "directly or indirectly."

The legislation would also require these officials and candidates to disclose such payments and gifts. Golden's amendment would extend these disclosure requirements to payments to the officials' and candidates' spouses and children. Federal law has long required government officials and candidates to disclose the incomes, gifts, investments, debts, and financial transactions of their spouses and children. In addition, the amendment would require the president to disclose any payments made to their spouse or dependent children by the federal government or a state government.

Congressman Golden's amendment builds on his work to root out corruption and defend against foreign influence. Earlier this fall, Golden reintroduced his Stop Foreign Payoffs Act, which would bar government officials and their families from receiving a salary from or holding an investment in a foreign business.

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