H.R.1321 - Ending DOGE Conflicts Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1321, the Ending DOGE Conflicts Act, aims to extend financial disclosure requirements to certain special Government employees who are owners, controlling shareholders, or CEOs of companies contracting with the Federal Government. It mandates these employees to comply with financial disclosure requirements outlined in title 5, United States Code, chapter 131, subchapter I. The bill also prohibits these employees from carrying out official duties until their initial financial report is certified as compliant by the Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased transparency and accountability among special Government employees who have significant financial interests in companies contracting with the government. This could reduce potential conflicts of interest and enhance public trust. It may also deter individuals with substantial conflicts from serving as special Government employees.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Transparency: Requires financial disclosures from special government employees.
- Reduced Conflicts of Interest: Aims to prevent individuals from using their government positions for personal financial gain.
- Enhanced Public Trust: Promotes confidence in government integrity.
- Accountability: Holds special government employees to higher ethical standards.
- Oversight: Empowers the Office of Government Ethics to review and certify financial reports.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Difficulty in Recruitment: Individuals may be deterred from serving as special Government employees due to increased disclosure requirements.
- Administrative Burden: Increased workload for the Office of Government Ethics in reviewing and certifying reports.
- Compliance Costs: Companies and individuals may incur costs associated with preparing and submitting financial disclosures.
- Potential for unintended consequences: The bill could inadvertently prevent qualified individuals from serving in government roles.
- Limited Scope: The bill only addresses a specific subset of special Government employees, potentially leaving other conflicts unaddressed.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general principles of transparency and accountability in government, which are implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on a government of laws and not of men. While the Constitution does not explicitly address financial disclosure requirements for special Government employees, this bill can be seen as an effort to ensure the integrity of government operations and prevent corruption, which supports the overall goals of a well-functioning republic. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).