House Lawmakers Push for Transparency in Foreign Gifts Received by Officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare bipartisan effort, Representatives Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) have introduced the Gift, Accountability, Reporting, and Disclosures (GARD) Act, aimed at increasing transparency regarding gifts received by federal officials from foreign entities. The bill was submitted late last week as the nation grapples with concerns over foreign influence in government.

The GARD Act seeks to expand the definition of ‘foreign’ gifts, increasing accountability through rigorous reporting requirements. Specifically, the legislation mandates that all federal employees, including the president, vice president, and members of Congress, disclose gifts valued at $480 or more within 30 days of receipt. Failure to comply would result in a $200 fine for late filings, significantly tightening the existing regulations.

“This bill is about restoring trust in government and ensuring that foreign influences are transparent to the American people,” Donalds said in a statement. Golden echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for stringent measures. “We must hold ourselves accountable and ensure that foreign entities cannot unduly influence our government through undisclosed gifts,” he added.

The GARD Act proposes that the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, rather than a politically appointed State Department official, will oversee the reporting process. Currently, the State Department, headed by Secretary Marco Rubio, publishes a foreign gift list following the end of a presidential term, but the new legislation would require this information to be updated within 30 days of receipt.

Moreover, the bill extends the definition of foreign gifts to include contributions from non-U.S. businesses and nonprofits. It also standardizes the reporting requirements for gifts given to adult children or relatives of government officials, holding them to the same $480 disclosure limit.

Concerns about foreign involvement in American politics were heightened in recent years, as both parties alleged instances of party leaders and family members enriching themselves through undisclosed foreign gifts. Just last year, Donalds announced his candidacy for governor of Florida, receiving an endorsement from the president. Meanwhile, Golden is seen as a potential gubernatorial candidate in Maine, leading to speculation about their motivations in introducing this bill.

Despite the high-profile backing of Donalds and Golden, it remains unclear how the bill will be received by House GOP leaders amid ongoing partisan divides. As both representatives press forward, they are keenly aware that increased transparency could play a pivotal role in safeguarding American democracy.

In a related move, Donalds and Golden’s initiative underscores the growing scrutiny on foreign gifts to U.S. officials, echoing sentiments shared by political analysts about the integrity of federal institutions. If passed, the GARD Act could mark a significant shift in how foreign gifts are managed and disclosed in American politics.