Press Releases
Legislation Would Require Presidential Nominees to Disclose Political Contributions or Solicitations
Today, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) to introduce legislation in the House and Senate entitled: the Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act. The bill would require Presidential nominees to disclose significant political contributions or solicitations to the Office of Government Ethics, closing a glaring loophole in the appointment vetting process for high ranking government officials.
Democratic Ranking Members Cummings and Conyers Lead Letter to Chairmen Chaffetz and Goodlatte Urging a Robust Congressional Investigation into the Trump Campaign Ties with Russia
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined all Democratic Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Committee on the Judiciary sent a detailed letter to their respective Republican Chairmen outlining their demand for an immediate investigation into the actions of President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and top White House aides.
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after President Donald Trump announced the creation of a commission to investigate voter fraud and suppression.
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after President Donald Trump fired Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey.
On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) highlighted President Donald Trump’s failure to deliver on his promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington.
Comprehensive Review Finds That Wealthy Special Interests Have Gained More Power and Influence in Trump’s Washington
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined House Democrats in unveiling a new report, “100 Ways in 100 Days: How the Trump Administration Has Flooded Swamp in Washington.” The report illustrates the numerous and unprecedented ways in which the Trump Administration – after only 100 days in office – has tested the extreme limits of ethics laws and standards in place to prevent public corruption, improve government transparency and encourage accountability among elected officials.
During an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing today on government transparency, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) called on Republican leaders to request and make public President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
Survey Determines Trump Administration Has Ignored Over 100 Letters Sent by House Democrats; GOP Leaders Continue to Refuse to Hold Oversight Hearings
An informal, internal audit by the Democracy Reform Task Force has found that despite repeated campaign promises to give power back to the American people, President Donald Trump and Republican Congressional leaders have taken steps to weaken Congressional oversight and make the government decision-making process more opaque and less accountable.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) announced the appointment of 15 Vice Chairs to the Democracy Reform Task Force, which will advance legislative reforms to return us to a government of, by and for the people. The Task Force will also work to confront the Trump Administration’s conflicts of interest and Republicans’ special interest agenda.
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today delivered a keynote address at a Center for American Progress event titled, “Risks and Remedies for Trump’s Conflicts of Interest.”