H.R.2593 - Making Any Reimbursement Against the Law for Guarding Overnight Act; MARALAGO Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2593, also known as the MARALAGO Act, aims to prevent the President from profiting from Secret Service protection at their residence. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds to reimburse the President or entities they control for expenses incurred by the Secret Service during protection duties. It does allow for the President to gift these services to the Secret Service.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would change how the Secret Service handles expenses related to presidential protection at the President's private residences. It would likely eliminate any payments made to the President or their businesses for lodging, meals, or other services provided to the Secret Service. This could lead to cost savings for the government and prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces potential conflicts of interest by preventing the President from personally profiting from Secret Service protection.
- Could lead to cost savings for the government by eliminating reimbursements to the President or their entities.
- Increases transparency and accountability in government spending.
- Reinforces the principle that public service should not be used for personal enrichment.
- May improve public trust in government by addressing concerns about potential self-dealing.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May create logistical challenges for the Secret Service if the President is unwilling to provide free lodging or services.
- Could be seen as politically motivated, potentially further polarizing political discourse.
- Might lead to increased security costs in other areas if the Secret Service needs to find alternative accommodations.
- The definition of 'controlled by a President' could be subject to legal interpretation and potential loopholes.
- Could set a precedent for overly restrictive legislation targeting specific individuals.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general principles of government transparency and preventing self-enrichment by public officials. While there isn't a specific constitutional clause directly addressing this scenario, the bill could be seen as supporting the overall intent of preventing corruption and ensuring public trust in government. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, which prohibits the acceptance of emoluments from foreign states without Congressional consent, is tangentially related in its concern for conflicts of interest.
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).