Steube Introduces Bill to Close Loophole Allowing Candidates to Use Campaign Funds to Pay Family-Owned Vendors

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced H.R. 6659, the Obstructing Monetary Allocations to Relatives (OMAR) Act, which would prohibit a candidate for election to a federal office from using campaign funds to pay any vendor controlled by an immediate family member.

"Our elections should be held to the highest ethical standards and this loophole only serves to invite corruption into the process," Steube said. "We should be serving the people as elected officials, not lining our own pockets. This legislation will add more protections for American campaign dollars and prevent candidates from violating the trust of the public."

This legislation is in response to reports that candidates have funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into family-owned campaign vendors. "Immediate family members" are defined as the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law of the candidate.

Currently, the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) states that candidates cannot use campaign funds for personal gain. This legislation closes a loophole and ensures FEC standards are kept.

Source