OMAR Act
Campaign Finance: Ban on Paying Spouses
The OMAR Act was recently introduced in the House and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on House Administration. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is not yet scheduled for a vote. The bill is considered active as it waits for further committee action.
Legislative Progress
Most bills that restrict how members of Congress manage their own campaign funds struggle to gain enough support to pass both chambers.
Key Points
- This bill stops political campaigns and PACs controlled by a candidate from paying the candidate’s spouse for any work or services. This would apply to all federal candidates and officeholders.
- Campaigns would be required to clearly list any payments made to other immediate family members in their regular financial reports. This includes payments to children, parents, siblings, and in-laws.
- If a candidate knows their campaign is breaking these rules, they would have to pay any resulting fines out of their own pocket. The bill specifically bans the campaign from using donor money to pay back the candidate for these penalties.
- The proposal aims to prevent politicians from using donor money to personally enrich their own families through campaign salaries or contracts. It would take effect as soon as the bill is signed into law.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
OMAR Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.