By Makini Brice
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit the president and other top officials from accepting payments from foreign governments while in office, a move clearly aimed at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The bill, which has no chance of passing the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives ahead of the November 5 elections, aims to strengthen enforcement of the “emoluments clause » of the Constitution.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a report in January revealing that companies linked to former President Trump received at least $7.8 million in foreign payments from 20 countries during his four years in the White House.
“For centuries, the President and other senior government officials have strictly adhered to the provisions on foreign and domestic emoluments. Unfortunately, President Trump’s brazen acceptance of illegal foreign payments and benefits has demonstrated the need for clear rules implementing the main anti-corruption provisions of the Constitution.” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who introduced the bill with Rep. Jamie Raskin.
The bill would prevent high-ranking officials, including members of Congress, from receiving payments directly or indirectly from foreign governments through companies they control and create penalties for unauthorized acceptance of payments foreigners. The ban would apply for two years after leaving office, unless Congress allows an exception.
Trump, whose businesses include extensive real estate holdings, did not divest from his businesses or place them in a blind trust when he took office, as was the case in the United States. Instead, he let his adult sons manage his businesses.
The Trump campaign and Oversight Chairman James Comer’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(Reporting by Makini Brice; Additional reporting by Moira Warburton; Editing by Richard Chang)
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