Foster Introduces Bill to Curb Political Self-Branding on Federal Buildings and Programs

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led 19 of his colleagues in introducing the Federal Naming Standards Act. This legislation would prevent federal buildings, facilities, and programs from being named after elected officials or political appointees until at least 10 years after they leave office. Even beyond that time frame, no former official who makes more than $1 million annually from the commercial use of their name or likeness would be able to have anything named after them.

"At a time when public trust in government is under strain, Congress must ensure that public institutions serve the public-not the interests of any individual officeholder," said Congressman Foster. "President Trump's attempts to put his name on the Kennedy Center, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and a new fleet of Navy vessels are especially concerning due to his family's commercial empire. By attaching his personal brand to federally funded institutions and initiatives, he is using the presidency to further his private business interests, raising serious ethical concerns."

This legislation is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Public Citizen.

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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