H.R.2857 - Drain the Swamp Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2857, the "Drain the Swamp Act," seeks to codify Executive Order 13989, which pertains to ethics commitments by executive branch personnel. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 10, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The primary aim is to give the Executive Order the force and effect of law, making it more durable and less susceptible to changes with different administrations.
Codifying the executive order into law would ensure that ethics commitments made by executive branch personnel are consistently enforced. This would promote accountability and transparency within the government.
By making these ethics rules law, the bill aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest and increase public trust in government officials.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2857 would make Executive Order 13989 a permanent fixture, rather than something that can be easily undone by a subsequent president. This would likely lead to more consistent ethical standards for executive branch employees.
It would also potentially increase the legal ramifications for violating those standards. This could deter unethical behavior.
The bill's impact would largely depend on the specific provisions of Executive Order 13989 and how they are interpreted and enforced by the courts.
Potential Benefits
- Increased accountability for executive branch personnel.
- Greater transparency in government operations.
- Reduced potential for conflicts of interest.
- Enhanced public trust in government officials.
- More consistent application of ethics rules across administrations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and red tape.
- Possible limitations on the executive branch's flexibility in personnel matters.
- Risk of unintended consequences from codifying a complex executive order.
- Could lead to partisan disagreements over the interpretation and enforcement of the law.
- May not fully address all ethical concerns within the government.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out the functions of the government. Codifying an executive order related to ethics falls under this purview.
However, the specific provisions of Executive Order 13989 would need to be carefully examined to ensure they do not infringe upon any constitutional rights or unduly restrict the powers of the executive branch. The bill itself does not appear to violate any specific constitutional provision.
It is within the legislative power of Congress to establish rules and regulations for the conduct of government officials.
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).