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H.R. 8485

BillFederalHouseIn Committee
To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and other senior Executive branch personnel from accepting any foreign emoluments, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · May 21, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congress
118th (2023–2025)
Introduced
May 21, 2024
Cosponsors (21)
21D 0R
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Summary

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This bill would prohibit the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and other senior federal officials from accepting payments from foreign governments or foreign-controlled businesses without explicit congressional approval. Officials who wish to receive such payments must first notify the Director of the Office of Government Ethics with detailed information about the proposed payment, which the Director then submits to Congress. Congress would then have 90 days to pass a concurrent resolution approving the payment, with the House and Senate each given 15 legislative days to consider the proposal and 3 legislative days to vote on it. The bill applies not just to direct payments but also to payments made through business entities controlled by these officials, and it extends restrictions for two years after an official leaves office. Violations carry significant penalties, including civil fines up to $5,000 more than the payment's value, criminal imprisonment for up to one year and fines of $50,000 or the total value of payments received (whichever is greater), and forfeiture of the illegal payments. The bill includes a safe harbor provision that protects officials from penalties if they did not solicit the payment and report and return it within 90 days of receipt.

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