Reps. Mike Levin, Jason Crow, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Launch End Corruption Caucus
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) launched the End Corruption Caucus alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06).
This new caucus will work to advance legislation, bring together like-minded partners, and aim to root out corruption in government, to restore the American people’s trust in their leaders.
As part of the launch, Levin, Crow, and Ocasio-Cortez introduced a congressional resolution asking Congress to denounce corruption in all its forms and oppose the implementation of policies that benefit special interests and corrupt politicians at the expense of the American people.
“At no other point in American history have we seen corruption so rampant in our politics. We have a president using the office to enrich himself, his family, and his friends. He has traded thousands of stocks in companies that benefit from his own policies and created a billion-dollar slush fund, paid for by taxpayers, to reward his allies,” said Congressman Levin. “The American people are the ones paying the price while the well-connected cash in. We must confront this corruption head-on, hold the powerful accountable, and ensure our government works for the people again.”
“Corruption is poisoning our politics. From the disastrous Citizens United decision, to the President using his office to enrich himself and his family, our democracy is buckling under the influence of billionaire donors and special interests,” said Congressman Crow. “Corruption is why costs are so high, why the government feels unresponsive, and why the system seems to only benefit the wealthy and well-connected. We must take on corruption to lower prices, restore trust, and help working families.”
“The influence of big money in politics is a major reason why everyday Americans struggle to trust our institutions and our work in Congress,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “That is why I am proud to co-chair the End Corruption Caucus, alongside Congressmen Jason Crow and Mike Levin, to remove dark money and special interests from our government, shut the lobbying revolving door, and enforce accountability in all branches of government. It is time that we put Americans first and earnestly work to restore the faith and integrity of our lawmaking.”
As working-class Americans struggle to afford housing and put food on the table, President Trump has used his office to personally enrich himself and his family by at least $3.4 billion.
Trump has also weaponized the federal government against his perceived political opponents and those that speak out in opposition to his policies. Trump stalled government investigations into Elon Musk’s companies; weaponized the IRS against universities; attacked the free press; used the FCC to silence Jimmy Kimmel; and more. He has taken a page out of the authoritarian playbook and wielded the Department of Justice to levy bogus criminal indictments against his personal and political enemies.
You can read the full text of the resolution here:
Denouncing corruption in all its forms.
Whereas 3 quarters of Americans think United States Government corruption poses a critical threat to the vital interests of the United States;
Whereas public trust in government is near historic lows;
Whereas only 17 percent of United States adults say they trust the Federal Government to do the right thing just about always or most of the time;
Whereas a vast majority of Americans, regardless of their partisan identification, view unlimited political spending as weakening democracy and believe wealthy donors have too much power in elections;
Whereas a vast majority of Americans support anticorruption rules that strengthen democracy and constitutional rights by ensuring everyone has equal political representation, regardless of money;
Whereas corruption, self-dealing and dark money in our political system undermine public confidence in the democratic process and democratic institutions;
Whereas the revolving door between the private and public sector can create conflicts of interest that prioritize special interests over the public good and reduce the public’s confidence that their representatives are working for them;
Whereas using public office to attack political enemies and for personal enrichment are hallmarks of autocratic and kleptocratic regimes;
Whereas using public office for personal enrichment through insider trading, foreign licensing deals, gifts from foreign nations, and the sale of various cryptocurrencies corrupts the basic oath taken by elected officials to serve the American people and further erodes the public’s faith in government;
Whereas promising industries favorable policies, tax incentives, and an end to regulatory oversight in exchange for extensive campaign donations further drowns out the voices of the people and increases the risk of systemic corruption; and
Whereas providing pardons to individuals who have provided millions of dollars in donations to associated political action committees (PACs), special projects, and inauguration funds creates a system where political donations can cancel out justice and further erodes the public’s trust in our systems of government: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the House of Representatives denounces corruption in all its forms and opposes the implementation of policies that benefit special interests and corrupt politicians at the expense of the American people.
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