Press Releases
Special Report Highlights the Wasteful Use of Privately-Chartered Flights by Members of President Trump’s Cabinet
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today unveiled a new special report, “Trump’s High-Flying Cabinet,” which catalogues the inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded private jets by Trump Administration cabinet officials.
Wide-Ranging Review Demonstrates How President Trump Has Broken His Campaign Promises by Catering to Wealthy Special Interests, Empowering D.C. Insiders and Engaging in Secret Backroom Deals
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today led House Democrats in unveiling a new report, “200 Ways in 200 Days: How the Trump Administration Continues to Flood Swamp in Washington.” The report builds on a previous report unveiled in April by the Democracy Reform Task Force.
Pelosi, Sarbanes Announce Launch of By the People Project to Imbed Reform in House Democratic Agenda
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman John Sarbanes, Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force, announced that House Democrats are developing a comprehensive package of democracy reforms to fight back against efforts by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to degrade America’s democratic institutions, subvert federal ethics standards and undermine the public interest in favor of special interests and wealthy donors.
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the following statement today after the Office of Government Ethics’ Director, Walter Shaub, announced his resignation.
Nearly 200 Members of Congress File Suit to Stop Trump from Continuing to Accept Foreign Gifts and Payments
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined nearly 200 Members of Congress in filing a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump for violating one of the Constitution’s key anti-corruption provisions: the Foreign Emoluments Clause. The emoluments clause prohibits the President from accepting foreign payments or gifts without seeking and receiving approval from Congress.
Trump Policy is a Fundamental Assault on Constitutional System of Checks and Balances
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement in response to recent press reports confirming that the Trump Administration is directing all federal agencies to largely ignore information requests from Democrats in Congress. Congressman Sarbanes led an audit of unanswered letters from Congressional Democrats to the Trump Administration.
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the below statement today after the Trump Administration – responding to intense public pressure – finally disclosed ethics waivers for several top White House officials.
Sarbanes: The Constitution Is More Important than ‘Guest Experience,’ President Trump
In January, rather than divest from his business interests as was common practice among his predecessors, President-elect Trump made a promise to donate all Trump Organization profits from foreign patrons in an effort to comply with the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. The Trump Organization recently responded to a bipartisan request from the House Oversight Committee, which asked for documentation on the how the plan was being implemented.
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.