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Congressman Cohen Introduces Amendments to Prohibit Federal Spending at Trump-Owned Properties

May 30, 2018

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who serves as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today introduced a series of amendments to a pending spending bill that would prohibit federal spending at Trump-owned businesses, including hotels and resorts. The amendments were offered to an annual appropriations measure that addresses spending on Energy & Water, Legislative Branch and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs that is expected be taken up next week.

"Congress should not permit the President to use his office to profit himself or his family, as press accounts indicate has been happening over the past 16 months," said Congressman Cohen. "This kind of spending raises conflicts of interest that the U.S. Constitution prohibits.

"The President's refusal to divest from his privately held businesses, or place them in a blind trust, is outrageous," he added.

The amendments would prohibit spending by certain federal government agencies and departments funded through the appropriations bill that must be approved by Congress for the fiscal year that begins October 1.

Congressman Cohen and his colleagues have introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump (H. Con Res. 621) for violations of the Constitution's emoluments, or anti-conflict-of-interest, provisions.