TABOO Act

This bill would apply federal ethics and financial disclosure rules to people serving as special envoys, special representatives, and similar positions that negotiate for the United States with foreign countries or international organizations, including unpaid or volunteer workers. Within 30 days of starting, each person would have to confirm in writing that they have no financial interest in the foreign countries they work with, or will sell it or place it in a blind trust within 60 days, and will not take on such interests for one year after leaving. Agency heads would have to certify these confirmations and send them to the foreign affairs committees of Congress, and send a list of people in these positions every 90 days. People who knowingly fail to provide the written confirmation could be fined or jailed for up to one year, and those who fail other requirements could lose government support and be suspended. The rules would take effect 180 days after enactment and could not be waived by the executive branch.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jeff Merkley Democrat sponsor
• 8 cosponsors