Banning, Beaumont Rep's Bills Target Elected Officials' Spending on Own Businesses

PALM DESERT, CA - A Pass Area congressman introduced a trio of bills Thursday aimed at preventing elected officials from spending campaign funds on businesses they own, with specific reference made to President Donald Trump in the package's introduction.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, says the bills introduced Thursday will close loopholes that allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or federal funds for personal profit.

The Campaign Spending Integrity Act would prohibit candidates from using campaign funds on businesses they or immediate family members control, while the Public Service Spending Integrity Act would prevent federal money from being spent on businesses owned or controlled by the President, Vice President, cabinet members, members of Congress, or any of their immediate family members.

"People shouldn't be allowed to line their pockets when they're in public service or running for office," said Ruiz, who claimed that Trump "paid his own businesses over $8 million in campaign funds."

"The public should feel confident that politicians are elected to serve the people, not get rich. My ethics package helps prevent any elected official, regardless of party, from abusing their authority for personal gain," Ruiz said.

The third bill introduced, called the Public Service Transparency Act, would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require that candidates for president, vice president and those nominated for cabinet-level positions, must release their tax returns on an annual basis.

The bill appears to be another jab at President Trump, who has not released his returns, stating that an ongoing Internal Revenue Service audit had to be completed before the returns could be released.

– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock