Sen. Elizabeth Warren has unveiled a sweeping set of proposals to fight corruption and “eliminate the influence of money in federal government.” The Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act would affect not just members of Congress but the president, federal judges, corporations, and lobbyists.
While Warren’s plan would definitely affect Donald Trump by requiring presidential candidates and presidents to release tax returns and banning them from “own[ing] companies on the side,” it's not just about Trump:
... in remarks she made Tuesday morning at the National Press Club, Warren said that the roots of political corruption, which have eroded Americans' trust in the government, go back decades before Trump took office.
"This problem is far bigger than Trump," Warren said. "It is a crisis. A crisis of faith."
Warren tweeted six “big changes” she’d be fighting for:
1) “Padlock the revolving door between big business and government.”
2) “Stop self-dealing by public officials. If a person works for the government, then that person should serve the public. No making policy decisions to help yourself instead of taxpayers.”
3) “End lobbying as we know it,” including by requiring “everyone who gets paid to influence government to register” and banning American lobbyists from working for foreign governments.
4) “End corporate capture of rulemaking,” including “Prosecute companies that knowingly mislead government agencies.”
5) “Restore faith that ordinary people can get a fair shake in our courts”—no more chances for corporations to pay off federal judges through paid speeches and appearances.
6) “Hire a new independent sheriff to police corruption. There are dedicated public servants that enforce our ethics laws – but they have less authority than security guards at the mall.”
The chances that Republicans will allow a bill like this to pass are nil—in fact, Warren would probably face a fight for certain Democratic votes. But it’s important to get ambitious proposals out there, influencing the conversation about reducing the influence of big money in government.