Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 490
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-21T16:01:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act of 2025," aims to prevent the use of federal funds at properties or entities associated with Donald J. Trump. It seeks to address potential conflicts of interest by prohibiting government spending or new agreements that could benefit such entities, drawing on concerns related to the U.S. Constitution's Emoluments Clause (which bars federal officeholders from receiving benefits from foreign or domestic sources without congressional consent).
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Federal Funds: No federal funds may be spent at any property or entity that is owned by, managed by, or under the control of Donald J. Trump. This includes direct use of funds for operations, services, or activities at these locations.
- Ban on New Agreements: The federal government is barred from entering into any new contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with these properties or entities.
- Scope of Coverage: The bill explicitly lists hundreds of Trump-associated properties and entities, including hotels, golf clubs, residential buildings, and business corporations. Examples include:
- U.S.-based: Trump International Hotel Washington, DC; Trump National Doral Miami; Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL; various Trump Towers and golf clubs in New York, Florida, and other states.
- International: Trump International Golf Links in Ireland and Scotland; Trump Towers in India, Philippines, Turkey, and Uruguay; entities in Canada, Indonesia, and the UAE.
- Business Entities: Numerous LLCs and corporations like The Trump Organization, Inc.; DT Marks various LLCs; and trusts such as The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.
- The list appears comprehensive but includes a note requesting confirmation that it accurately reflects the intended coverage.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a targeted prohibition not present in current federal law, specifically naming Donald J. Trump and his associated entities. Existing laws, such as general federal procurement rules (e.g., under the Federal Acquisition Regulation), already restrict wasteful spending but do not single out individuals or create blanket bans on specific private owners.
- It builds on broader emoluments-related oversight but creates an enforceable funding restriction, potentially amending appropriations laws or ethics statutes by withholding funds from designated entities.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of Defense, State Department, or General Services Administration would need to redirect travel, events, or contracts away from listed Trump properties, increasing administrative costs for compliance and alternative sourcing. This could affect routine operations, such as official stays or meetings.
- On Citizens and Taxpayers: Indirectly benefits taxpayers by preventing federal dollars from flowing to private Trump entities, potentially reducing perceived favoritism. However, it might raise costs for government services if alternatives are more expensive.
- On International Relations: Limits U.S. government interactions with foreign Trump properties (e.g., in Ireland, India, or the Philippines), which could strain diplomatic hosting or partnerships but promote neutrality in foreign engagements.
- No direct impact on private citizens' use of these properties, but it enforces stricter separation between public funds and private business interests.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Federal Government: Primary enforcer, including Congress (via oversight committees) and executive agencies responsible for spending and contracting.
- Trump Organization and Affiliates: Directly impacted through loss of potential federal revenue from government clients; includes property owners, managers, and related LLCs/trusts.
- Taxpayers and the Public: Benefit from safeguards against misuse of funds but may face indirect costs from policy shifts.
- Foreign Governments and Entities: Affected if they co-own or partner with listed international Trump properties, potentially influencing bilateral U.S. relations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Invokes the Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9) to justify preventing undue benefits to a former (or potential future) officeholder, but could face challenges for targeting a specific individual, raising equal protection or due process concerns under the Fifth Amendment.
- Legal: Enforceability depends on passage and funding mechanisms; violations could lead to lawsuits or audits by the Government Accountability Office. The extensive list of entities may require updates if ownership changes, posing administrative hurdles.
- Political: As an introduced bill (H.R. 490, 119th Congress, referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on January 16, 2025), it reflects partisan tensions around ethics and conflicts of interest. If enacted, it could set a precedent for similar restrictions on other high-profile figures, influencing future ethics reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (8 pages)