A coalition of congressional Republicans are seeking to increase federal oversight of familial campaign contributions, including for spouses.
Earlier this week, Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) introduced the Oversight for Members And Relatives (OMAR) Act Thursday, named after progressive “Squad” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to prohibit campaign compensation from certain committees from going to candidates' spouses.
“Regardless of political party, we should all be able to agree that running for political office shouldn't be part of a family enrichment scheme,” Tiffany said in a press release shared exclusively with Fox News Digital.
“Public officials should serve their constituents; they shouldn't be serving up a plate of campaign cash to their spouse,” he continued. “The OMAR Act will help restore public confidence in Congress and prevent politicians from pocketing their campaign funds.”
The OMAR Act would also require the disclosure of campaign compensation to candidates' immediate family members.
Multiple other House Republicans joined the Wisconsin Republican on the bill including Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).
“It's crazy this is even legal in the first place,” Rep. Gallagher. “This bill puts an end to this despicable practice and is a common-sense way to restore trust in government and ensure people don't profit off running for Congress.”
“The OMAR Act is a good step in preventing any potential conflicts of interest, such as a Member paying their husband's consulting firm $2.8 million,” Mace said. “Public officials should always act in the best interest of their constituents, and this bill will help show the American people we're serious about enforcing this principle.”
The bill addresses a loophole in American politics where candidates can hire their spouses or other relatives and use campaign funds to pay salaries and cover other campaign-related expenses.
According to the release, the OMAR Act is based on a bipartisan 2007 bill led by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) that passed the House but did not make it through the Senate.
Lawmakers, such as Omar and fellow “Squad” member Rep. Cori Bush (D- Mo.), and others, have taken advantage of this loophole to pay family members from their campaign coffers. (RELATED: Outspoken ‘Squad' Member Hit With FEC Complaint)
Recently, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) filed a formal complaint against Bush over payments to her now-husband for private security services.
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Serving in public office is NOT an entitlement for personal enrichment. It’s amazing that many past (and present) politicians come out of office with magnified personal wealth. Let’s start with the Biden family, the Clintons, the Pelosi’s, Bernie Sanders, Maxine Waters, etc. Sadly there are too many offenders to name but the newish squad seems to also be doing their part.
Corrupt politicians will continue to act corruptly until voters stop electing them.
need to look at mad max also!
Rt. Honorable Mr. Tiffany, What a brilliant OMAR acronym! Could you please come up with a suitable acronym to troll AOC? How about Maxine Waters? Cori Bush? Alvin Bragg?