Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced legislation to establish a new federal agency, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, tasked with investigating alleged corruption involving current and future presidential administrations. The bill, unveiled Thursday at Public Citizen's "Combating Corruption" event, aims to create a robust institution with subpoena power to examine abuses of power.
Schumer described the proposal as the "biggest, boldest and broadest proposal ever put forward to revitalize our anti-corruption institutions." The Anti-Corruption Bureau would be empowered to investigate violations dating back to Jan. 20, 2025, the start of a potential second Trump term, and would include a 10-year statute of limitations. The agency would also have the authority to allow citizens and state attorneys general to file lawsuits to recover funds allegedly stolen through government corruption, with priority given to more severe cases.
The proposed agency would replace existing bodies such as the Office of Government Ethics, the Federal Election Commission, and the Office of Special Counsel. The bureau would be governed by a seven-member board, with appointments made by the president and confirmed by the Senate. To ensure impartiality, the board would be limited to three members from each political party, with the seventh member being nonpartisan.
To guarantee its independence, the Anti-Corruption Bureau would be funded through a self-sustaining source, a structure Schumer compared to the Federal Reserve. The legislation also includes provisions to prevent the bureau from being weaponized against political opponents, a concern Schumer raised regarding potential future misuse.
Schumer cited alleged conflicts of interest and financial gains during the Trump administration, stating that President Trump and his family have accrued billions of dollars since taking office, which he attributed to exploiting the influence and information available to the presidency. The bill also seeks to impose stricter gift limits for presidents, vice presidents, their spouses, and adult children, capping gifts at $50,000.
While the legislation was prompted by concerns regarding the Trump administration, Schumer emphasized that it is designed to apply to all future presidents. "Trump has created obnoxious new ways to undo government ethics that no one ever imagined the president would attempt. But picture if our next president is an even more devious or competent crook. The bill isn't just about this moment. It's about restoring American's trust in government long term," Schumer stated.
Sens. Andy Kim, D-N.J.; Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are listed as initial cosponsors of the bill.