To Fight Corruption, Reed-Backed TABOO Act Seeks to Close Ethics Loopholes for ‘Special Envoys’

CRANSTON, RI -- In an effort to fight corruption and ensure that the people who represent the U.S. government overseas actually represent American interests -- not their own personal businesses, foreign governments, or potential future business deals - U.S. Senator Jack Reed is teaming up with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and seven other colleagues in introducing the Transparency in the Administration's Business Opportunities Overseas (TABOO) Act (S.5357).

This new legislation mandates strong ethics requirements for every individual representing the United States government in negotiations with foreign governments and international multilateral organizations, including Special Envoys and other officials serving in similar roles as paid employees, volunteers, or in unpaid capacities.

These individuals representing the United States -- such as Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, who is President Trump's friend, donor, and golfing buddy -- frequently exercise significant authority and speak for the U.S. on sensitive diplomatic and national security matters. Both Kushner and Witkoff have participated in sensitive Middle East diplomacy during Trump's second term while at the same time their families have reportedly been enriched by financial dealings with foreign backers. Congressional investigators are looking into reports that Kushner, Witkoff, and other Trump associates continued seeking billions of dollars from Middle Eastern sovereign funds while at the same time helping to conduct negotiations involving the same governments.

Current gaps in federal law allow individuals serving in these roles to conduct high-stakes negotiations with foreign governments while holding undisclosed financial interests in those same countries, creating the risk-or at least impression-that personal profit, rather than the national interest, shapes American foreign policy.

"There should be no question that officials representing the United States overseas are serving our national interests, not lining their own pockets," said Senator Merkley. "The TABOO Act closes the glaring loopholes that allow individuals representing the United States abroad-including Special Envoys and others serving in similar roles-to skirt the law, ensuring America's foreign policy is not shaped by personal profit."

"We must prevent corruption, hold perpetrators accountable, and put a stop to the Trump Administration's misuse of public office for private gain. Americans deserve leaders who will prioritize our country's national security interests over their own personal financial interests. Unfortunately, under the Trump Administration, when it comes to high-stakes foreign negotiations, government authority often appears to mix with family business and private access - enriching a few families at the expense of American taxpayers," said Senator Reed. "The TABOO Act would close loopholes and crack down on corruption."

In addition to Kushner and Witkoff, other members of the Trump and Witkoff families are actively engaged in Middle East business ventures, ranging from real estate to cryptocurrency, that directly involve Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Since Trump's second term started, his family has made over $4 billion according to news reports, with President Trump reporting earnings of at least $2.2 billion during his first year back in office in 2025.

In addition to Merkley and Reed, the TABOO Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Specifically, the TABOO Act would:

• Deem all individuals in covered positions to be officers or employees for purposes of federal bribery, graft, and conflict of interest laws, regardless of employment, compensation, or volunteer status;

• Designate individuals serving as Special Envoys or in similar positions as public financial disclosure filers;

• Limit filing extensions for these individuals to no more than 30 days;

• Require individuals, within 30 days of starting, to certify in writing that they hold no financial interest, including any interest held by a spouse or immediate family member, in the countries they will work with, to divest or place any pre-existing interest in a qualified blind trust within 60 days, and to commit to acquiring no new financial interest in those countries for one year after vacating the position;

• Require the Executive Branch to provide a quarterly list of all individuals serving as Special Envoys or in similar positions, along with a brief description of their duties and the countries and organizations they are expected to engage with; and

• Outline enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the requirements set forth in the Act.

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