Posted on 02/06/2021 1:27:38 PM PST by RightGeek
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08) introduced the Oversight for Members And Relatives Act or “OMAR Act,” which would put an end to the practice of candidates for office tapping their campaign accounts to enrich their spouses.
“For too long, lawmakers of both political parties have engaged in the ethically dubious practice of pocketing campaign funds by ‘hiring’ their spouses and laundering the money as campaign related expenses,” said Tiffany.
“Loopholes that allow members of Congress to funnel campaign funds to their spouses are despicable and erode trust in our government,” said Rep. Gallagher. “There’s simply no logical reason for allowing this practice to continue, and I’m proud to join Rep. Tiffany in this common-sense effort to ensure members can’t profit off running for Congress.”
The bill is based on a bipartisan proposal introduced in the 110th Congress by Rep. Adam Schiff, and which was endorsed at that time by members of the current House Democrat leadership team.
“It is outrageous and inappropriate for Members of Congress to convert campaign donations to personal funds in this way,” Tiffany added. “It feeds public perceptions of corruption, undermines public trust in Congress, and must come to an end.”
“Regardless of political party, we should all be able to agree that running for political office shouldn’t be part of a family enrichment scheme,” concluded Tiffany. “Passing the OMAR Act will help restore public confidence in Congress and stop politicians from effectively pocketing their campaign funds.”
Background: Fox News reported how an incumbent House member from Minnesota took advantage of this loophole “paid nearly $2.8 million to her husband's political consulting firm so far in the 2019-2020 election cycle, including nearly 70% of her third-quarter disbursements.” To put this huge sum in perspective, it appears to be more than all members of Congress paid their immediate relatives during the entire 2012 election cycle, combined.
In 2007, Rep. Adam Schiff called for House approval of a ban on campaign payments to spouses “an important step forward in restoring the public’s confidence that elected officials are working in the public’s interest and not their own.” Speaker Pelosi, too, praised the House action, saying it would “increase transparency in election campaigns and [prevent] the misuse of funds.” Majority Leader Hoyer also applauded the measure, adding that it would “restore high ethical standards to Washington and clean up the culture of corruption.”
OMAR Act. Pure genius.
I am thinking that funds from campaigns to relatives (spouses, children, aunts, uncles, parents, etc. up to two levels of separation) should be:
1) taxed at the highest tax rate
2) taxes should be taken out before they are received
3) required to be reported to the FEC
4) automatically become public record
They are just now figuring out how to stop the money corruption?
Omar figured out to do it before she was even elected. Who helped her with that?
Now what’s needed is an “OMAR” Act to remove ILLhan from office. Cancel some anti American Jew haters for a change.
“ undermines public trust in Congress,”
I’m not sure that’s possible at this point.
L
an ilhan wind is howling-
isn’t it also against the law already to funnel campaign cash to anyone for profiteering them personally?
Hope they introduce a “Ilhan Act” to make it illegal to marry one’s brother or sister to sneak them into the US too, which i understand is already against the law- but apparently noone in law authority seems to care-
HOORAY Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08)
mentally illian OMAR ALERT!
And the Democrats will respond by detailing every dollar the Trump campaign paid to Trump properties for services rendered.
In 2007 - 110th Congress and what happened to it? A change of heart apparently? The democrats were in the majority in both chambers so why didn’t it get done then? Why are we still hearing about it 14 years later? Slimy characters.
“”In 2007, Rep. Adam Schiff called for House approval of a ban on campaign payments to spouses “an important step forward in restoring the public’s confidence that elected officials are working in the public’s interest and not their own.” Speaker Pelosi, too, praised the House action, saying it would “increase transparency in election campaigns and [prevent] the misuse of funds.” Majority Leader Hoyer also applauded the measure, adding that it would “restore high ethical standards to Washington and clean up the culture of corruption.””
Good luck trying to get that passed.
Expand it beyond spouses— include any member of the family. Reason for this expansion: see Maxine Water’s daughter who is now a millionaire from the “payments” for campaign services from her mommy! Money laundry through nepotism— a very well known thing, and should be completely illegal.
Waters and her daughter should join former Cong. Jefferson of the “Katrina Cold Cash” New Orleans case. William J. Jefferson— 10 years in the fed pen, just got out Jan. 2020.
Corrupt.
So it is no surprise that Pelosi announced that retired Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen Russel Honoré On January 15, 2021, would lead a review of security failures following the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. One of the principal federal money levee graft distributors, which created the cold cash Jefferson (levee contracts,etc.) still on the demonrat payroll. Not a professional military combat general— oh no, but an outstanding member of the New Orleans graftocracy. Figures. Still on the payroll himself.
They made such a big deal about him during Katrina, and against GWBush-— typical smear job.
Going. Nowhere.
Spouce? Why not write the law so it includes their entire family out to 5th cousins and beyond of any office holding politician from receiving any kind of money or material benefits from said politicians? PERIOD!
Immigrants know how to work out system. I know a lady from Iraq, came her with 5 sisters, and a mother. Free everything, can’t speak English, but can get free healthcare ,rent, food. The kicker she gets paid as a CNA by the state to care for her mother.
Members of Congress should earn $15/hour.
No benefits.
Mandatory random drug testing.
No campaign contributions over $100 per person.
No corporate contributions.
Her real name in Ilhan Nur Said Elmi.
...and she lied on official immigration applications to get here. Who’s minding the store?
And after she lied to get into the country she married her brother to fraudulently get him a green card.
No one will prosecute her.
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