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Cohen Amendment Prohibiting Spending at Trump Businesses Passes House

June 18, 2019

Effort to prevent violation of domestic emoluments clause

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) applauded House passage of his amendment to the State and Foreign Operations spending bill that would prohibit certain federal departments and agencies from spending taxpayer dollars at Trump-owned businesses. The vote was 231 to 187.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I believe that President Trump's refusal to divest from his many businesses continues to raise serious questions about his compliance with the Constitution's Domestic Emolument Clause, which protects against presidential corruption. The measure I offered prohibits certain federal agencies from spending at Trump-owned businesses. I intend to offer the same amendment to the remaining spending bills for the fiscal year that begins October 1."

Congressman Cohen offered amendments prohibiting spending at Trump-owned businesses to spending bills in 2018 and 2017 but those efforts were thwarted by the then-Republican House Majority.