Rep. Sykes, Next-Generation Lawmakers Unveil Legislative Package to End Corruption in Washington D.C.
Watch: Rep. Sykes’ full press conference
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) joined Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) and a group of next-generation reformers in the House of Representatives to introduce the End Corruption Now legislative agenda. As part of the agenda, Rep. Sykes introduced the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, legislation that closes loopholes in the federal bribery statute by clarifying the definition of an “official act” by a public official. Along with Rep. Sykes’ bill, the lawmakers introduced five other bills designed to put power back in the hands of the American people by preventing the President, Executive Branch officials, and Members of Congress from personally benefiting from their offices. Along with Reps. Sykes and Neguse, the End Corruption Now legislative agenda featured bill introductions by U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Angie Craig (MN-2), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Pat Ryan (NY-18).
“When public officials use their power for personal gain and are shielded from accountability, democracy itself is undermined,” said Rep. Sykes. “This bill – and the broader End Corruption Now agenda – is about restoring public trust and ensuring that no one is above the law. The American people deserve a government that works for them, not for the biggest wallets or the best connections.”
Rep. Sykes’ Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, and the rest of the End Corruption Now legislative agenda come during a time when political corruption is on the rise, with Ohio having been ranked as the worst state for public corruption in the country.
In Ohio, there have been a number of high profile corruption cases that have plagued state and local governments. In 2023, former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Larry Householder was convicted of federal racketeering charges in the largest public corruption scheme in Ohio’s history. By introducing the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, Rep. Sykes is working to prevent political corruption and to ensure that the government acts in the best interests of all Americans.
The Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, closes loopholes in the federal bribery statute by clarifying the definition of an “official act.” Currently, “official acts” by public officials only include legislative actions, such as casting votes or influencing policy language. Rep. Sykes’ bill would expand that definition to include anything that is done by someone in their capacity as a public official, such as hosting promotional events on publicly owned property. Under this expanded definition, performing these official acts for private gain would be defined as bribery.
The End Corruption Now legislative agenda targets conflicts of interest and would put a stop to the selling of access and influence, including banning Members of Congress from trading stocks or becoming lobbyists, and strengthening anti-corruption laws. Along with Rep. Sykes’ bill, the agenda includes the following bills:
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The Close the Revolving Door Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse, places a lifetime ban on Members of Congress from serving as lobbyists. Learn more about this bill here.
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The Restoring Integrity in Democracy Resolution, introduced by Rep. Angie Craig, would prohibit Members of Congress from serving on corporate boards. Learn more about this bill here.
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The Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act, introduced by Rep. Seth Magaziner, effectively bans Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from trading individual stocks by requiring them to either divest from individual stock holdings or move their investments into a qualified blind trust during their entire tenure in Congress. Learn more about this bill here.
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The Millionaires Using Service for Kickbacks (MUSK) Act, introduced by Rep. Pat Ryan, requires government employees defined as Executive Schedule (I-IV) employees, Special Government Employees, and people in the Executive Office of the President to recuse themselves from any matters affecting the financial interests of their previous employers for the four-year period. Learn more about this bill here.
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The Integrity in Government (IG) Act, introduced by Rep. Hillary Scholten, strengthens checks and balances by installing new oversight measures for the White House and its top offices and protecting independent watchdogs from political retaliation. Learn more about this bill here.
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The No Corporate Crooks Act, introduced by Rep. Chris Deluzio, prohibits any chief executive officers, in either the public or private sector, convicted of covered financial crimes from serving in the executive branch. Learn more about this bill here.
The End Corruption Now agenda is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Public Citizen.
“Americans should be able to trust that their elected officials and senior policymakers are serving the public’s interest, rather than private financial interests,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “CREW applauds Reps. Neguse, Magaziner, Deluzio, Scholten, Ryan, Sykes, and Craig for their initiative, leadership and collaboration to put together a multi-faceted anti-corruption package. For far too long, some have accepted the status quo, but in the face of recent and unprecedented examples of how the system can be manipulated for private gain, now is the time for Congress to take action and pass effective anti-corruption legislation.”
“Bribery, kickbacks, pay-to-play. These are the components of a criminal enterprise – not a functional federal government. The tsunami of corruption flowing from the White House has flooded all of Washington and left a revolting stench that’s impossible to ignore. This fire hose of anti-corruption measures will blast corruption head on by protecting independent government watchdogs from being weaponized, banning former members of Congress from being lobbyists, and stopping convicted corporate crooks and special government employees from personally profiting at the people’s expense. Now is not a time to worry – it’s time to clean house,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.
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