Senate Democrats are pushing for more transparency from presidential inaugural committees by reintroducing legislation that would implement new reporting rules. The bill aims to increase oversight and prevent cronyism, as corporate leaders and billionaires flood the committee with donations.
The Trump inaugural committee has raised a staggering $170 million, with estimates suggesting it will end up with around $200 million. This is despite having a relatively light schedule of festivities compared to other recent inaugurations. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, argue that the American people have a right to know how these funds are being spent and exactly who they come from.
The proposed legislation would require inaugural committees to disclose the name and address of every person or vendor paid $200 or more, as well as the purpose of each expenditure. It would also prohibit committees from converting donations to personal use and explicitly ban donors from contributing on behalf of someone else. Unspent funds would be required to be donated to a 501(c)(3) charity within 90 days.
This move comes after previous inaugural committees have raised significant amounts of money, with Trump’s first committee raising $107 million in 2017. The lack of transparency surrounding these funds has been a concern, and Senate Democrats are pushing for change.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/17/trump-inaugural-committee-oversight-legislation-democrats.html