Lots of politicians talk about draining the swamp. Few seem motivated to do anything about it. While the president tweets, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., has introduced five pieces of legislation that seem like common sense and would actually clear some of the weeds from Washington.
On Thursday, Sasse authored an op-ed in USA Today where he laid out his plan. To start with, he wants to prohibit prevent Cabinet members and their immediate family from soliciting donations from foreign sources. That’s a no-brainer, based on Hillary Clinton’s ethics problems. We should all be confident that those in the top echelons of our government are not beholden to foreign powers, even indirectly.
Sasse also wants to require that presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ tax returns be disclosed. This, of course, became an issue after Trump refused to release his, breaking with long-standing tradition. Making this practice law, rather than trusting that candidates will do it, is a good move. Voters should have the right to know the financial situation of those they are considering for the nation’s highest office.
[Also read: Ben Sasse: I ‘regularly consider’ leaving the GOP]
The third proposal is something that many voters might be shocked to find out isn’t already law. Right now, when an elected official settles a personal issue — say harassment or discrimination — not only are those settlements often not made public, but the money for them comes from taxpayer dollars, not the personal finances of the politicians. In short, taxpayers are paying off the victims of elected official’s improprieties. Sasse wants to change that by making a public database of congressional settlements and putting the financial liability of those settlements on the members of Congress themselves.
The recent indictment of Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., likely inspired Sasse’s fourth proposal, which would make it illegal for members of Congress to buy or sell stocks during their time in office. That would mean that there would be far fewer incentives for lawmakers to think about their holdings before their constituents.
Lastly, and likely the one with the most far-reaching consequences, Sasse wants to take his own shot at closing down the now well-trodden path of lawmaker to lobbyist in order to bring back the spirit of a limited, representative government comprised of citizens that does not create a permanent class of political elites. Sasse’s fix for this is simple: Impose a lifetime ban on members of Congress from making money lobbying.
These are all steps in the right direction, but of course, draining the swamp isn’t going to be as easy as passing five pieces of legislation. Ultimately, it will require a shift in political culture. Waiting around for voters and lawmakers to decide to do better, however, is not a good bet. Instead, as Sasse has laid out, Congress can better police itself with much-needed legislation forcing lawmakers to clean up their acts.
These are all great proposals, and legislators on both sides of the isle should support them — putting their votes where their mouths are on draining the swamp.
