H.R. 6340 · 114th Congress
Presidential Accountability Act
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Katherine Clark
- Introduced
- 2016-11-17
- Latest action
- 2016-12-05 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Summary
Presidential Accountability Act
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for the President or Vice President to personally and substantially participate in official matters that affect their financial interests, unless the financial interests are held in a blind trust or the President or Vice President discloses the financial interests and receives an exemption.
It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a President or Vice President who commits the offense. It also authorizes civil penalties and injunctions.
Additionally, a violation constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor (i.e., grounds for impeachment) under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.
Finally, the bill prohibits the President or Vice President from entering into contracts with the U.S. government.