House Passes Dr. Ruiz's Bill to Fight Corruption

Press Release

Today, the House passed Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D.'s (CA-36) legislation, H.R. 231, the Public Service Spending Integrity Act, as part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act. Ruiz's bill prohibits taxpayer dollars from being spent on businesses owned or controlled by the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, or their immediate family. H.R. 1 is a transformational voting rights, anti-corruption, ethics and clean elections reform package.

"The House passage of my bill, the Public Service Spending Integrity Act, is a great victory for my constituents and a government that works for the people," said Dr. Ruiz. "Politicians should not be allowed to use their position to make a profit off the people they serve. The last four years have underscored how corrupt Washington politicians can use their positions to enrich themselves and their families at the expense of the American people. My bill that passed as part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, will fight corruption, promote integrity, and help ensure our elected representatives are held accountable to putting the American people over personal profits."

Key provisions of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, include:

Expanding automatic voter registration and same day registration
Strengthening vote by mail, early voting and ballot access
Combating voter intimidation and voter suppression
Protecting elections from foreign interference
Fixing partisan gerrymandering
Promoting digital ad transparency
Forcing disclosure of dark money
Reining in lobbyist influence
Enforcing ethics and conflict of interest rules for all government officials
Empowering small donors with matching funds paid for by penalties levied on lawbreakers.
For more information about H.R. 1, you can click here.

Background

Rep. Raul Ruiz introduced the Public Service Integrity Act in January as part of his comprehensive ethics package. Also contained in Ruiz's ethics package are:

H.R. 229, the Campaign Spending Integrity Act, which would prevent campaign donations from being spent at businesses owned or controlled by a candidate for federal office or their family.
H.R. 232, the Public Service Transparency Act, which would require candidates for the President and Vice President, as well as nominees for cabinet positions, to release their tax returns.
H.R. 230, the COACH Act, which would prevent Members of Congress or their staff from flying first-class using taxpayer funds.

Source